RGC Resources (RGCO) 10-K 12 Dec 14 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'RGC RESOURCES INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001069533	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	4,721,793	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$83,975,171

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$849,757	$2,846,224
Accounts receivable, net	3,730,173	3,729,106
Materials and supplies	893,672	760,781
Gas in storage	11,402,990	10,316,240
Prepaid income taxes	1,144,214	836,966
Deferred income taxes	1,704,320	2,852,073
Under-recovery of gas costs	180,831	0
Other	1,104,660	866,646
Total current assets	21,010,617	22,208,036
UTILITY PROPERTY:	'	'
In service	155,360,200	144,388,721
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-50,645,642	-48,653,487
In service, net	104,714,558	95,735,234
Construction work in progress	4,029,019	2,001,315
Utility plant, net	108,743,577	97,736,549
OTHER ASSETS:	'	'
Regulatory assets	9,273,389	4,474,111
Other	293,139	108,005
Total other assets	9,566,528	4,582,116
TOTAL ASSETS	139,320,722	124,526,701
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	'	'
Borrowings under line-of-credit	9,045,050	0
Note payable	0	15,000,000
Dividends payable	873,326	847,736
Accounts payable	5,367,299	5,723,107
Customer credit balances	1,373,927	1,277,515
Customer deposits	1,492,150	1,476,451
Accrued expenses	2,200,882	2,118,182
Over-recovery of gas costs	0	1,027,303
Fair value of marked-to-market transactions	0	1,986,695
Total current liabilities	20,352,634	29,456,989
LONG-TERM DEBT	30,500,000	13,000,000
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES:	'	'
Asset retirement obligations	4,802,015	4,525,355
Regulatory cost of retirement obligations	8,575,147	8,180,173
Benefit plan liabilities	8,459,436	5,582,073
Deferred income taxes	14,610,643	14,276,596
Deferred investment tax credits	0	3,093
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	36,447,241	32,567,290
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)	'	'
Stockholders’ Equity:	'	'
Common Stock, $5 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 4,720,378 and 4,709,326 shares in 2014 and 2013, respectively	23,601,890	23,546,630
Preferred stock, no par; authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding in 2014 and 2013	0	0
Capital in excess of par value	8,237,228	8,003,787
Retained earnings	21,321,055	20,103,239
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,139,326	-2,151,234
Total stockholders’ equity	52,020,847	49,502,422
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$139,320,722	$124,526,701

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$5	$5
Common stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	4,720,378	4,709,326
Common stock, share outstanding	4,720,378	4,709,326
Preferred stock, no par value (in usd per share)	$0	$0
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, share outstanding	0	0

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Inc

Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
OPERATING REVENUES:	'	'	'
Gas utilities	$73,865,487	$62,024,174	$57,657,940
Other	1,150,647	1,181,492	1,141,747
Total operating revenues	75,016,134	63,205,666	58,799,687
COST OF SALES:	'	'	'
Gas utilities	45,091,274	34,916,062	31,278,173
Other	587,771	686,713	588,417
Total cost of sales	45,679,045	35,602,775	31,866,590
GROSS MARGIN	29,337,089	27,602,891	26,933,097
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:	'	'	'
Operations and maintenance	13,383,388	12,853,599	12,547,693
General taxes	1,560,386	1,480,746	1,366,680
Depreciation and amortization	4,711,447	4,473,491	4,232,189
Total other operating expenses	19,655,221	18,807,836	18,146,562
OPERATING INCOME	9,681,868	8,795,055	8,786,535
OTHER EXPENSE, net	-206,887	-60,117	-19,956
INTEREST EXPENSE	1,827,001	1,828,099	1,830,885
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	7,647,980	6,906,839	6,935,694
INCOME TAX EXPENSE	2,939,540	2,644,787	2,638,949
NET INCOME	$4,708,440	$4,262,052	$4,296,745
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:	'	'	'
Basic (in usd per share)	$1	$0.91	$0.92
Diluted (in usd per share)	$1	$0.91	$0.92
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	4,715,478	4,698,727	4,647,439
Diluted (in shares)	4,716,282	4,698,766	4,650,949

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$4,708,440	$4,262,052	$4,296,745
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:	'	'	'
Interest rate swaps	1,232,546	576,985	245,343
Defined benefit plans	-220,638	1,221,866	-162,090
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX	1,011,908	1,798,851	83,253
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$5,720,348	$6,060,903	$4,379,998

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sto

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Capital In Excess of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$48,785,778	$23,123,410	$6,830,395	$22,865,311	($4,033,338)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	4,296,745	'	'	4,296,745	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	83,253	'	'	'	83,253
Tax benefits from stock option exercise	34,818	0	34,818	'	'
Cash dividends declared	-3,257,542	'	'	-3,257,542	'
Issuance of common stock	739,878	229,425	510,453	'	'
Stock option grants	0	'	'	'	'
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	50,682,930	23,352,835	7,375,666	23,904,514	-3,950,085
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	4,262,052	'	'	4,262,052	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,798,851	'	'	'	1,798,851
Cash dividends declared	-8,063,327	'	'	-8,063,327	'
Issuance of common stock	737,076	193,795	543,281	'	'
Stock option grants	84,840	0	84,840	'	'
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	49,502,422	23,546,630	8,003,787	20,103,239	-2,151,234
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	4,708,440	'	'	4,708,440	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,011,908	'	'	'	1,011,908
Cash dividends declared	-3,490,624	'	'	-3,490,624	'
Issuance of common stock	213,391	55,260	158,131	'	'
Stock option grants	75,310	0	75,310	'	'
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$52,020,847	$23,601,890	$8,237,228	$21,321,055	($1,139,326)

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sto1

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Dividends declared (in usd per share)	$0.74	$1.72	$0.70
Issuance of stock, shares	11,052	38,759	45,885

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Net income	$4,708,440	$4,262,052	$4,296,745
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	4,838,062	4,656,716	4,387,016
Cost of retirement of utility plant, net	-452,834	-502,587	-436,120
Stock option grants	75,310	84,840	0
Deferred taxes and investment tax credits	859,788	786,990	2,410,468
Other noncash items, net	38,073	39,186	35,865
Changes in assets and liabilities which provided (used) cash:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable and customer deposits, net	12,424	-374,682	-51,234
Inventories and gas in storage	-1,219,641	-997,378	3,394,448
Over/under recovery of gas costs	-1,208,134	1,714,497	-1,042,670
Other assets	-306,744	1,106,590	-418,598
Accounts payable, customer credit balances and accrued expenses, net	-505,006	-739,154	-792,879
Total adjustments	2,131,298	5,775,018	7,486,296
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,839,738	10,037,070	11,783,041
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Expenditures for utility property	-14,715,428	-9,977,433	-8,683,658
Proceeds from disposal of utility property	16,858	29,923	32,943
Net cash used in investing activities	-14,698,570	-9,947,510	-8,650,715
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Proceeds on collection of notes	0	1,142,770	277,770
Borrowings under line-of-credit	25,363,774	4,354,402	0
Repayments under line-of-credit	-16,318,724	-4,354,402	0
Proceeds from issuance of unsecured notes	30,500,000	0	0
Retirement of note payable	-15,000,000	0	0
Retirement of long-term debt	-13,000,000	0	0
Early termination fees	-2,237,961	0	0
Debt issuance expenses	-193,081	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of stock	213,391	737,076	774,696
Cash dividends paid	-3,465,034	-8,033,053	-3,226,350
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,862,365	-6,153,207	-2,173,884
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-1,996,467	-6,063,647	958,442
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR	2,846,224	8,909,871	7,951,429
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	849,757	2,846,224	8,909,871
Cash paid during the year for:	'	'	'
Interest	1,966,263	1,803,528	1,783,918
Income taxes	$2,387,000	$622,076	$525,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Principles of Consolidation—RGC Resources, Inc. is an energy services company engaged in the sale and distribution of natural gas. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of RGC Resources, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Resources” or the “Company”): Roanoke Gas Company (“Roanoke Gas”); Diversified Energy Company; and RGC Ventures of Virginia, Inc., operating as Application Resources and The Utility Consultants. Roanoke Gas is a natural gas utility, which distributes and sells natural gas to approximately 58,600 residential, commercial and industrial customers within its service areas in Roanoke, Virginia and the surrounding localities. The Company’s business is seasonal in nature and weather dependent as a majority of natural gas sales are for space heating during the winter season. Roanoke Gas is regulated by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (“SCC” or “Virginia Commission”). Application Resources provides information system services to software providers in the utility industry. The Utility Consultants provides regulatory consulting services to other utilities. Diversified Energy Company is currently inactive.
	The Company follows accounting and reporting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
	Resources has only one reportable segment as defined under FASB ASC No. 280 – Segment Reporting. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Rate Regulated Basis of Accounting—The Company’s regulated operations follow the accounting and reporting requirements of FASB ASC No. 980, Regulated Operations. The economic effects of regulation can result in a regulated company deferring costs that have been or are expected to be recovered from customers in a period different from the period in which the costs would be charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise. When this situation occurs, costs are deferred as assets in the consolidated balance sheet (regulatory assets) and recorded as expenses when such amounts are reflected in rates. Additionally, regulators can impose liabilities upon a regulated company for amounts previously collected from customers and for current collection in rates of costs that are expected to be incurred in the future (regulatory liabilities). In the event the provisions of FASB ASC No. 980 no longer apply to any or all regulatory assets or liabilities, the Company would write off such amounts and include them in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income in the period for which FASB ASC No. 980 no longer applied.
	Regulatory assets and liabilities included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
			September 30
			2014			2013
		Regulatory Assets:
		Current Assets:
		Accounts receivable:
		Accrued WNA revenues	$	143,753		$	—
		Under-recovery of gas costs	180,831			—
		Other:
		Accrued pension and postretirement medical	394,215			184,063
		Utility Property:
		In service:
		Other	11,945			11,945
		Other Assets:
		Regulatory assets:
		Premium on early retirement of debt	2,283,744			65,817
		Accrued pension and postretirement medical	6,884,812			4,267,211
		Other	104,833			141,083
		Total regulatory assets	$	10,004,133		$	4,670,119
		Regulatory Liabilities:
		Current Liabilities:
		Over-recovery of gas costs	$	—		$	1,027,303
		Accrued expenses:
		Over-recovery of SAVE Plan revenues	187,203			—
		Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
		Asset retirement obligations	4,802,015			4,525,355
		Regulatory cost of retirement obligations	8,575,147			8,180,173
		Total regulatory liabilities	$	13,564,365		$	13,732,831
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had regulatory assets in the amount of $7,527,613 on which the Company did not earn a return during the recovery period. These assets primarily pertain to the net funded position of the Company’s benefit plans related to its regulated operations. As such, the amortization period is not specifically defined.
	Utility Plant and Depreciation—Utility plant is stated at original cost. The cost of additions to utility plant includes direct charges and overhead. The cost of depreciable property retired is charged to accumulated depreciation. The cost of asset removals, less salvage, is charged to “regulatory cost of retirement obligations” or “asset retirement obligations” as explained under Asset Retirement Obligations below. Maintenance, repairs, and minor renewals and betterments of property are charged to operations and maintenance.
	Provisions for depreciation are computed principally at composite straight-line rates as determined by depreciation studies required to be performed on the regulated utility assets of Roanoke Gas Company at least every five years. The Company completed its most recent depreciation study and the SCC approved the new depreciation rates in September 2014. The SCC instructed the Company to implement these new rates retroactive to October 1, 2013. As a result of the new rates, the composite weighted-average depreciation rate declined slightly to 3.25% for the year ended September 30, 2014 as compared to 3.35% and 3.34% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The change in depreciation rates is considered a change in accounting estimate and is recorded in the period in which the Company received approval from the SCC. The effect of this change in estimate was to reduce depreciation expense by $126,875 and increase net income by $78,713 and earnings per share by $0.02 for the year ended September 30, 2014.
	The composite rates are comprised of two components, one based on average service life and one based on cost of retirement. As a result, the Company accrues the estimated cost of retirement of long-lived assets through depreciation expense. Retirement costs are not a legal obligation but rather the result of cost-based regulation and are accounted for under the provisions of FASB ASC No. 980. Such amounts are classified as a regulatory liability.
	The Company reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. These reviews have not identified any impairments which would have a material effect on the results of operations or financial condition.
	Asset Retirement Obligations—FASB ASC No. 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation when there exists a legal obligation for the retirement of the asset. When the liability is initially recorded, the entity capitalizes the cost, thereby increasing the carrying amount of the underlying asset. In subsequent periods, the liability is accreted, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset. The Company has recorded asset retirement obligations for its future legal obligations related to evacuating and capping its distribution mains and services upon retirement, although the timing of such retirements is uncertain.
	The Company’s composite depreciation rates include a component to provide for the cost of retirement of assets. As a result, the Company accrues the estimated cost of retirement of its utility plant through depreciation expense and creates a corresponding regulatory liability. The costs of retirement considered in the development of the depreciation component include those costs associated with the legal liability. Therefore, the asset retirement obligation is reclassified from the regulatory cost of retirement obligation. If the legal obligations were to exceed the regulatory liability provided for in the depreciation rates, the Company would establish a regulatory asset for such difference with the anticipation of future recovery through rates charged to customers. In both 2014 and 2013, the Company increased its asset retirement obligation to reflect changes in the estimated cash flows for asset retirements.
	The following is a summary of the asset retirement obligation:
			Years Ended September 30
			2014			2013
		Beginning balance	$	4,525,355		$	4,251,295
		Liabilities incurred	74,276			75,312
		Liabilities settled	(165,845		)	(194,602		)
		Accretion	258,763			249,293
		Revisions to estimated cash flows	109,466			144,057
		Ending balance	$	4,802,015		$	4,525,355
	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments—From time to time, the Company will have balances on deposit at banks in excess of the amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company has not experienced any losses on these accounts and does not consider these amounts to be at credit risk. As of September 30, 2014, the Company did not have any bank deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limits. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	Customer Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts—Accounts receivable include amounts billed to customers for natural gas sales and related services and gas sales occurring subsequent to normal billing cycles but before the end of the period. The Company provides an estimate for losses on these receivables by utilizing historical information, current account balances, account aging and current economic conditions. Customer accounts are charged off annually when deemed uncollectible or when turned over to a collection agency for action.
	A reconciliation of changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:
			Years Ended September 30
			2014			2013			2012
		Beginning balance	$	68,539		$	65,219		$	66,058
		Provision for doubtful accounts	148,881			85,033			11,588
		Recoveries of accounts written off	136,369			122,432			134,331
		Accounts written off	(283,042		)	(204,145		)	(146,758		)
		Ending balance	$	70,747		$	68,539		$	65,219
	Financing Receivables—Financing receivables represent a contractual right to receive money either on demand or on fixed or determinable dates and are recognized as assets on the entity’s balance sheet. Trade receivables are the Company's one primary type of financing receivables, resulting from the sale of natural gas and other services to its customers. These receivable are short-term in nature with a provision for uncollectible balances included in the financial statements.
	Inventories—Inventories, consisting of natural gas in storage and materials and supplies, are recorded at average cost. Injections into storage are priced at the purchase cost at the time of injection and withdrawals from storage are priced at the weighted average price in storage. Materials and supplies are removed from inventory at average cost.
	Unbilled Revenues—The Company bills its natural gas customers on a monthly cycle basis; however, the billing cycle period for most customers does not coincide with the accounting periods used for financial reporting. As the Company recognizes revenue when gas is delivered, an accrual is made to estimate revenues for natural gas delivered to customers but not billed during the accounting period. The amounts of unbilled revenue receivable included in accounts receivable on the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $1,071,128 and $1,056,253, respectively.
	Income Taxes—Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance against deferred tax assets is provided if it is more likely than not the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company and its subsidiaries file state and federal consolidated income tax returns.
Debt Expenses—Debt issuance expenses are amortized over the lives of the debt instruments.
Over/Under-Recovery of Natural Gas Costs—Pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s Purchased Gas Adjustment (“PGA”) clause, the SCC provides the Company with a method of passing along to its customers increases or decreases in natural gas costs incurred by its regulated operations, including gains and losses on natural gas derivative hedging instruments. On a quarterly basis, the Company files a PGA rate adjustment request with the SCC to adjust the gas cost component of its rates up or down depending on projected price and activity. Once administrative approval is received, the Company adjusts the gas cost component of its rates to reflect the approved amount. As actual costs will differ from the projections used in establishing the PGA rate, the Company may either over-recover or under-recover its actual gas costs during the period. Any difference between actual costs incurred and costs recovered through the application of the PGA is recorded as a regulatory asset or liability. At the end of the deferral period, the balance of the net deferred charge or credit is amortized over an ensuing 12-month period as amounts are reflected in customer billings.
Fair Value—Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company determines fair value based on the following fair value hierarchy which prioritizes each input to the valuation methods into one of the following three broad levels:
•	Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
•	Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in Level 1 that are either for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
•	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability where there is little, if any, market activity which require the Company to develop its own assumptions.
The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). All fair value disclosures are categorized within one of the three categories in the hierarchy. See fair value disclosures below and in Notes 6 and 10.
Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Excise and Sales Taxes—Certain excise and sales taxes imposed by the state and local governments in the Company’s service territory are collected by the Company from its customers. These taxes are accounted for on a net basis and therefore are not included as revenues in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.
Earnings Per Share—Basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period and the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period plus dilutive potential common shares, respectively. Dilutive potential common shares are calculated in accordance with the treasury stock method, which assumes that proceeds from the exercise of all options are used to repurchase common stock at market value. The amount of shares remaining after the proceeds are exhausted represents the potentially dilutive effect of the securities. A reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share is presented below:
		Years Ended September 30
		2014			2013			2012
	Net Income	$	4,708,440		$	4,262,052		$	4,296,745
	Weighted-average common shares	4,715,478			4,698,727			4,647,439
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Options to purchase common stock	804			39			3,510
	Diluted average common shares	4,716,282			4,698,766			4,650,949
	Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:
	Basic	$	1		$	0.91		$	0.92
	Diluted	$	1		$	0.91		$	0.92
Business and Credit Concentrations—The primary business of the Company is the distribution of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers in its service territories.
No regulated sales to individual customers accounted for more than 5% of total revenue in any period or amounted to more than 5% of total accounts receivable.
Roanoke Gas currently holds the only franchises and/or certificates of public convenience and necessity to distribute natural gas in its service area. These franchises are effective through January 1, 2016. Certificates of public convenience and necessity in Virginia are exclusive and are intended for perpetual duration.
Roanoke Gas is served directly by two primary pipelines. These two pipelines provide all of the natural gas supplied to the Company’s customers. Depending upon weather conditions and the level of customer demand, failure of one or both of these transmission pipelines could have a major adverse impact on the Company.
Derivative and Hedging Activities—FASB ASC No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging, requires the recognition of all derivative instruments as assets or liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet and measurement of those instruments at fair value.
The Company’s hedging and derivatives policy allows management to enter into derivatives for the purpose of managing commodity and financial market risks of its business operations. The Company’s hedging and derivatives policy specifically prohibits the use of derivatives for speculative purposes. The key market risks that RGC Resources, Inc. hedges against include the price of natural gas and the cost of borrowed funds.
The Company periodically enters into collars, swaps and caps for the purpose of hedging the price of natural gas in order to provide price stability during the winter months. The fair value of these instruments is recorded in the balance sheet with the offsetting entry to either under-recovery of gas costs or over-recovery of gas costs. Net income and other comprehensive income are not affected by the change in market value as any cost incurred or benefit received from these instruments is recoverable or refunded through the PGA as the SCC allows for full recovery of prudent costs associated with natural gas purchases. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company had no outstanding derivative instruments for the purchase of natural gas.
The Company also had two interest rate swaps that essentially converted its variable interest rate notes to fixed rate debt instruments. Both swaps were terminated in September 2014 as part of the Company's debt refinancing as described in more detail in Note 4. These swaps qualified as cash flow hedges with changes in fair value reported in other comprehensive income.
No derivative instruments were deemed to be ineffective for any period presented.
The table below reflects the fair values of the derivative instruments and their corresponding classification in the consolidated balance sheets under the current liabilities caption of “Fair value of marked-to-market transactions” as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		September 30
		2014			2013
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Interest rate swaps	$	—		$	1,986,695
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	—		$	1,986,695
See Note 10 for additional information on fair value.
Other Comprehensive Income(Loss)—A summary of other comprehensive income is provided below:
		Before Tax			Tax			Net-of Tax
		Amount			(Expense)			Amount
					or Benefit
	Year Ended September 30, 2014:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Unrealized losses	$	(58,800	)	$	22,321		$	(36,479	)
	Transfer of realized losses to interest expense	926,262			(351,609		)	574,653
	Transfer of realized losses to regulatory asset	1,119,233			(424,861		)	694,372
	Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps	1,986,695			(754,149		)	1,232,546
	Defined benefit plans:
	Net loss arising during period	(397,714		)	151,131			(246,583		)
	Amortization of actuarial losses	41,846			(15,901		)	25,945
	Net defined benefit plans	(355,868		)	135,230			(220,638		)
	Other comprehensive income	$	1,630,827		$	(618,919	)	$	1,011,908
	Year Ended September 30, 2013:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Unrealized losses	$	(20,479	)	$	7,774		$	(12,705	)
	Transfer of realized losses to interest expense	950,501			(360,811		)	589,690
	Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps	930,022			(353,037		)	576,985
	Defined benefit plans:
	Net gain arising during period	1,714,890			(651,659		)	1,063,231
	Amortization of actuarial losses	219,890			(83,558		)	136,332
	Amortization of transition obligation	35,972			(13,669		)	22,303
	Net defined benefit plans	1,970,752			(748,886		)	1,221,866
	Other comprehensive income	$	2,900,774		$	(1,101,923	)	$	1,798,851
	Year Ended September 30, 2012:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Unrealized losses	$	(543,826	)	$	206,437		$	(337,389	)
	Transfer of realized losses to interest expense	939,285			(356,553		)	582,732
	Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps	395,459			(150,116		)	245,343
	Defined benefit plans:
	Net loss arising during period	(508,666		)	193,294			(315,372		)
	Amortization of actuarial losses	200,136			(76,052		)	124,084
	Amortization of transition obligation	47,093			(17,895		)	29,198
	Net defined benefit plans	(261,437		)	99,347			(162,090		)
	Other comprehensive income	$	134,022		$	(50,769	)	$	83,253
The amortization of actuarial losses and transition obligation is included as components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs and is included in operations and maintenance expense.
Composition of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
		Interest Rate			Defined Benefit			Accumulated
		Swaps			Plans			Other
								Comprehensive
								Income (Loss)
	Balance September 30, 2011	$	(2,054,874	)	$	(1,978,464	)	$	(4,033,338	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	245,343			(162,090		)	83,253
	Balance September 30, 2012	(1,809,531		)	(2,140,554		)	(3,950,085		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	576,985			1,221,866			1,798,851
	Balance September 30, 2013	(1,232,546		)	(918,688		)	(2,151,234		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,232,546			(220,638		)	1,011,908
	Balance September 30, 2014	$	—		$	(1,139,326	)	$	(1,139,326	)
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards—In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance under FASB ASC No. 220 - Comprehensive Income that defines the presentation of Comprehensive Income in the financial statements. According to the guidance, an entity may present a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or two separate statements - a statement of income and a statement of other comprehensive income that immediately follows the statement of income. In either presentation, the entity is required to present on the face of the financial statement the components of other comprehensive income including the reclassification adjustment for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income. In December 2011, the FASB issued additional guidance under FASB ASC No. 220 that deferred the effective date of earlier guidance with regard to the presentation of reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income. All other provisions of the original guidance remain in effect. In February 2013, the FASB issued additional guidance regarding the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. Under the new provisions, an entity must present the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The disclosures required under this guidance are provided above.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards—In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance under FASB ASC No. 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers that affects any entity that enters into contracts with customers for the transfer of goods or services or transfer of non-financial assets. This guidance will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply these steps: (1) identify the contract with the customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies the performance obligation. The new guidance is effective for the Company for the annual reporting period ended September 30, 2018 and interim periods within that annual period. Early application is not permitted. Management has not completed its evaluation of the new guidance. However, the Company does not currently expect the new guidance to have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standard–setting bodies are not currently applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Regulatory_Matters

Regulatory Matters	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Regulated Operations [Abstract]	'
Regulatory Matters	'
	REGULATORY MATTERS
	The SCC exercises regulatory authority over the natural gas operations of Roanoke Gas Company. Such regulation encompasses terms, conditions and rates to be charged to customers for natural gas service, safety standards, service extension, accounting and depreciation.
	On November 1, 2013 the Company placed into effect new base rates, subject to refund, that would provide for approximately $1,664,000 in additional non-gas revenues. On May 9, 2014, the SCC issued a final order granting the Company a rate award in the amount of $887,062 in additional non-gas revenues while maintaining a 9.75% authorized return on equity. During June 2014, the Company completed its refund for the difference between the rates placed into effect November 1 and the final rates approved in the Commission order.
	In connection with the order approving the non-gas rate award, the SCC also approved a change to the Company's weather normalization adjustment mechanism ("WNA"). Previously, the WNA provided for a weather band of 3% above or below the 30-year temperature average whereby the Company would recover from its customers the lost margin (excluding gas costs) from the impact of weather that was more than 3% warmer than the 30-year average or refund to customers the excess earned from weather that was more than 3% colder than the 30-year average. Effective with the WNA period that began April 1, 2014, the SCC removed the 3% weather band from the WNA calculation. This change will now result in either a recovery or refund of revenues due to weather variations from the 30-year average.
	On June 4, 2014, the Company filed an application with the SCC requesting approval to extend its existing authority to incur short-term indebtedness of up to $30,000,000 and to issue up to $60,000,000 in long-term securities. The short-term indebtedness authority will allow the Company to continue to access its line-of-credit to provide seasonal funding of its working capital needs as well as provide temporary bridge financing for its capital expenditures. The application also included the Company's plan to refinance its outstanding debt obligations with lower interest rate debt and provide the Company with future long-term financing options. On June 25, 2014, the SCC issued an order granting the approval of the Company's request including its plan to refinance its then outstanding debt obligations. Notes 3 and 4 provide additional information regarding the refinancing of Company debt.
	On June 10, 2014, the Company filed an updated depreciation study with the SCC as required at least every five years. The depreciation study, which is based on average remaining service life, resulted in a small reduction in the overall composite weighted average depreciation rate from 3.35% in fiscal 2013 to 3.25% in fiscal 2014. The SCC approved the depreciation study filing and instructed the Company to implement the new rates effective as of October 1, 2013. As a result, the Company recorded the full effect of the change in depreciation rates for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 in the Company's fourth quarter results of operations. The effect of the change in depreciation rates on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income is included in Note 1.

ShortTerm_Debt

Short-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Short-term Debt [Abstract]	'
Short-Term Debt	'
	SHORT-TERM DEBT
	The Company has available an unsecured line-of-credit with a bank which will expire March 31, 2015. The Company anticipates being able to extend or replace this line-of-credit upon expiration. The Company’s available unsecured line-of-credit varies during the year to accommodate its seasonal borrowing demands. Available limits under this agreement for the remaining term are as follows:
		Effective	Available
			Line-of-Credit
		September 30, 2014	$	15,000,000
		October 24, 2014	19,000,000
		February 1, 2015	16,000,000
		March 1, 2015	12,000,000
	A summary of the line-of-credit follows:
			September 30
			2014			2013			2012
		Line-of-credit at year-end	$	15,000,000		$	5,000,000		$	3,000,000
		Outstanding balance at year-end	9,045,050			—			—
		Highest month-end balance outstanding	9,045,050			1,414,955			—
		Average daily balance	1,340,833			80,593			—
		Average rate of interest during year on outstanding balances	1.16		%	1.21		%	—		%
		Interest rate at year-end	1.16		%	1.18		%	1.22		%
		Interest rate on unused line-of-credit	0.15		%	0.15		%	0.15		%
	On September 18, 2014, the Company refinanced its unsecured note in the principal amount of $15,000,000. This note along with its corresponding interest rate swap were included as part of the debt refinancing as described in Note 4. The effective rate of interest on the combined note and interest rate swap was 5.74%.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	LONG-TERM DEBT
	Long-term debt consists of the following:
			September 30
			2014		2013
		Unsecured senior notes payable, at 4.26%, due on September 18, 2034	$	30,500,000	$	—
		Unsecured note payable, with variable interest rate based on three month LIBOR plus 125 basis point spread	—		5,000,000
		Unsecured senior note payable, at 7.66%	—		8,000,000
		Total long-term debt	30,500,000		13,000,000
		Less current maturities	—		—
		Total long-term debt	$	30,500,000	$	13,000,000
	On September 18, 2014, the Company issued unsecured senior notes in the aggregate principal amount of $30,500,000 with a fixed interest rate of 4.26% per annum. The proceeds from these notes were used to retire, prior to original maturity, the $5,000,000 unsecured note payable and corresponding interest rate swap with an effective interest rate of 5.79%, the $8,000,000 unsecured note payable with a fixed interest rate of 7.66% and the $15,000,000 short-term note payable and corresponding interest rate swap with an effective interest rate of 5.74%. In exchange for retiring the notes and related swap instruments, the Company paid $2,237,961 in early termination fees. These termination fees have been deferred in accordance with regulatory accounting treatment and will be amortized over the term of the new notes.
	The new obligations contain various provisions, including two financial covenants. First, total long-term debt, including current maturities, shall not exceed 65% of total capitalization. Second, the Company shall not allow priority indebtedness to exceed 15% of total assets. As compared to the prior debt agreements, the Company no longer has covenants restricting the payment of dividends, except to the extent such dividend declaration and payment would cause the total long-term debt to exceed 65% of total capitalization.
	The aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt for the next five years ending after September 30, 2014 are as follows:
	Year Ending September 30	Maturities
	2015	$	—
	2016	—
	2017	—
	2018	—
	2019	—
	Thereafter	30,500,000
	Total	$	30,500,000

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The details of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:
			Years Ended September 30
			2014			2013			2012
		Current income taxes:
		Federal	$	1,789,294		$	1,404,450		$	(38,608	)
		State	290,458			453,347			232,270
		Total current income taxes	2,079,752			1,857,797			193,662
		Deferred income taxes:
		Federal	687,417			829,080			2,269,921
		State	175,464			(33,051		)	184,405
		Total deferred income taxes	862,881			796,029			2,454,326
		Amortization of investment tax credits	(3,093		)	(9,039		)	(9,039		)
		Total income tax expense	$	2,939,540		$	2,644,787		$	2,638,949
	Income tax expense for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 differed from amounts computed by applying the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 34% to earnings before income taxes due to the following:
			Years Ended September 30
			2014			2013			2012
		Income before income taxes	$	7,647,980		$	6,906,839		$	6,935,694
		Income tax expense computed at the federal statutory rate	$	2,600,313		$	2,348,325		$	2,358,136
		State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	307,509			277,395			275,005
		Amortization of investment tax credits	(3,093		)	(9,039		)	(9,039		)
		Other, net	34,811			28,106			14,847
		Total income tax expense	$	2,939,540		$	2,644,787		$	2,638,949
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:
			September 30
			2014			2013
		Deferred tax assets:
		Allowance for uncollectibles	$	26,855		$	26,017
		Accrued pension and postretirement medical benefits	2,077,409			1,997,001
		Accrued vacation	230,842			229,669
		Over-recovery of gas costs	—			389,965
		Costs of gas held in storage	973,651			1,055,768
		Accrued gas costs	36,305			8,999
		Deferred compensation	579,451			493,088
		Interest rate swap	—			754,149
		Other	295,654			214,172
		Total gross deferred tax assets	4,220,167			5,168,828
		Deferred tax liabilities:
		Utility plant	17,057,847			16,593,351
		Under-recovery of gas costs	68,643			—
		Total gross deferred tax liabilities	17,126,490			16,593,351
		Net deferred tax liability	$	12,906,323		$	11,424,523
	FASB ASC No. 740 - Income Taxes provides for the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recognized in the financial statements. The Company has evaluated its tax positions and accordingly has not identified any significant uncertain tax positions. The Company’s policy is to classify interest associated with uncertain tax positions as interest expense in the financial statements. Penalties are classified under other expense.
	The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return and state income tax returns in Virginia and West Virginia. The federal returns and the state returns for both Virginia and West Virginia for the tax years ended prior to September 30, 2011 are no longer subject to examination.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	The Company sponsors both a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan and a postretirement benefit plan (“Plans”). The defined benefit pension plan covers substantially all employees and benefits fully vest after 5 years of credited service. Benefits paid to retirees are based on age at retirement, years of service and average compensation. The postretirement benefit plan provides certain healthcare, supplemental retirement and life insurance benefits to retired employees who meet specific age and service requirements. Employees hired prior to January 1, 2000 are eligible to participate in the postretirement benefit plan. Employees must have a minimum of 10 years of service and retire after attaining the age of 55 in order to vest in the postretirement plan. Retiree contributions to the plan are based on the number of years of service to the Company as determined under the defined benefit plan.
	Employers who sponsor defined benefit plans must recognize the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income. For pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, and for other postretirement plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated benefit obligation. The Company established a regulatory asset for the portion of the obligation expected to be recovered in rates in future periods. The regulatory asset is adjusted for the amortization of the transition obligation and recognition of actuarial gains and losses. The portion of the obligation attributable to the unregulated operations of the holding company is recognized in other comprehensive income.
	The following tables set forth the benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, the funded status of the benefit plans, amounts recognized in the Company’s financial statements and the assumptions used.
			Pension Plan								Postretirement Plan
			2014				2013				2014			2013
		Accumulated benefit obligation	$	20,697,734			$	17,909,824			$	14,983,169		$	13,028,628
		Change in benefit obligation:
		Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	21,468,769			$	23,570,451			$	13,028,628		$	13,707,309
		Service cost	553,291				634,892				168,634			213,131
		Interest cost	1,020,302				946,247				602,684			531,845
		Actuarial (gain) loss	2,199,697				(3,105,394		)		1,673,552			(939,539		)
		Benefit payments, net of retiree contributions	(605,364		)		(577,427		)		(490,329		)	(484,118		)
		Benefit obligation at end of year	$	24,636,695			$	21,468,769			$	14,983,169		$	13,028,628
		Change in fair value of plan assets:
		Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	18,801,262			$	16,063,381			$	10,114,062		$	8,673,128
		Actual return on plan assets, net of taxes	1,750,033				2,215,308				522,516			1,075,052
		Employer contributions	568,248				1,100,000				500,000			850,000
		Benefit payments, net of retiree contributions	(605,364		)		(577,427		)		(490,329		)	(484,118		)
		Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	20,514,179			$	18,801,262			$	10,646,249		$	10,114,062
		Funded status	$	(4,122,516	)		$	(2,667,507	)		$	(4,336,920	)	$	(2,914,566	)
		Amounts recognized in the balance sheets consist of:
		Noncurrent liabilities	$	(4,122,516	)		$	(2,667,507	)		$	(4,336,920	)	$	(2,914,566	)
		Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
		Transition obligation, net of tax	$	—			$	—			$	—		$	—
		Net actuarial loss, net of tax	616,352				591,195				522,974			327,493
		Total amounts included in other comprehensive loss, net of tax	$	616,352			$	591,195			$	522,974		$	327,493
		Amounts deferred to a regulatory asset:
		Transition obligation	$	—			$	—			$	—		$	—
		Net actuarial loss	4,166,900				2,581,852				3,112,127			1,869,422
		Amounts recognized as regulatory assets	$	4,166,900			$	2,581,852			$	3,112,127		$	1,869,422
	The Company expects that approximately $60,000 before tax, of accumulated other comprehensive loss will be recognized as a portion of net periodic benefit costs in fiscal 2015 and approximately $394,000 of amounts deferred as regulatory assets will be amortized and recognized in net periodic benefit costs in fiscal 2015.
	The Company amortized the unrecognized transition obligation over 20 years ending in June 2013.
	The following table details the actuarial assumptions used in determining the projected benefit obligations and net benefit cost of the pension and the accumulated benefit obligations and net benefit cost of the postretirement plan for 2014, 2013 and 2012.
			Pension Plan									Postretirement Plan
			2014			2013			2012			2014		2013			2012
		Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
		Discount rate	4.22	%		4.82	%		4.06	%		4.1	%	4.73	%		3.95	%
		Expected rate of compensation increase	4	%		4	%		4	%		N/A		N/A			N/A
		Assumptions used to determine benefit costs:
		Discount rate	4.82	%		4.06	%		5.04	%		4.73	%	3.95	%		4.96	%
		Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7	%		7.25	%		7.25	%		4.92	%	5.11	%		5.11	%
		Expected rate of compensation increase	4	%		4	%		4	%		N/A		N/A			N/A
	To develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption, the Company, with input from the plans actuaries and investment advisors, considered the historical returns and the future expectations for returns for each asset class, as well as the target asset allocation of each plan’s portfolio. This resulted in the selection of the corresponding long-term rate of return assumptions used for each plan’s assets.
	Components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
			Pension Plan											Postretirement Plan
			2014				2013				2012			2014				2013			2012
		Service cost	$	553,291			$	634,892			$	521,701		$	168,634			$	213,131		$	195,777
		Interest cost	1,020,302				946,247				953,197			602,684				531,845			592,359
		Expected return on plan assets	(1,312,354		)		(1,184,787		)		(959,178		)	(496,476		)		(452,383		)	(367,359		)
		Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation	—				—				—			—				141,671			188,892
		Recognized loss	136,394				578,263				475,414			89,515				241,747			239,387
		Net periodic benefit cost	$	397,633			$	974,615			$	991,134		$	364,357			$	676,011		$	849,056
	The assumed health care cost trend rates used in measuring the accumulated benefit obligation for the postretirement medical plan as of September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are presented below:
			Pre 65									Post 65
			2014			2013			2012			2014		2013			2012
		Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	8.5	%		9	%		9	%		5	%	5	%		6	%
		Rate to which the cost trend is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	5	%		5	%		5	%		5	%	5	%		5	%
		Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2021			2021			2016			2014		2013			2013
	The health care cost trend rate assumptions could have a significant effect on the amounts reported. A change of 1% would have the following effects:
			1% Increase				1% Decrease
		Effect on total service and interest cost components	$	128,000			$	(104,000	)
		Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	2,155,000				(1,769,000		)
The primary objectives of the Plan’s investment policy are to maintain investment portfolios that diversify risk through prudent asset allocation parameters, achieve asset returns that meet or exceed the plans’ actuarial assumptions, achieve asset returns that are competitive with like institutions employing similar investment strategies and meet expected future benefits in both the short-term and long-term. The investment policy provides for a range of investment allocations to allow for flexibility in responding to market conditions. The investment policy is periodically reviewed by the Company and a third-party fiduciary for investment matters.
The Company’s target and actual asset allocation in the pension and postretirement benefit plans as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were:
		Pension Plan									Postretirement
											Plan
		Target			2014			2013			Target		2014			2013
	Asset category:
	Equity securities	60	%		60	%		63	%		50	%	55	%		62	%
	Debt securities	40	%		39	%		37	%		50	%	44	%		36	%
	Cash	—	%		1	%		—	%		—	%	1	%		1	%
	Other	—	%		—	%		—	%		—	%	—	%		1	%
The assets of the plans are invested in mutual funds. The Company uses the fair value hierarchy described in Note 1 to classify these assets. The mutual funds are included under Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as their fair values are determined based on individual prices for each security that comprises the mutual funds. Most all of the individual investments are determined based on quoted market prices for each security; however, certain fixed income securities and other investments are not actively traded and are valued based on similar investments. The following table contains the fair value classifications of the benefit plan assets:
						Defined Benefit Pension Plan
						Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2014
		Fair Value				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
	Asset Class:
	Cash	$	182,644			$	182,644			$	—		$	—
	Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds:
	Bonds
	Domestic Fixed Income	1,455,153				—				1,455,153			—
	Equities
	Domestic Large Cap Growth	2,079,566				—				2,079,566			—
	Domestic Large Cap Value	3,295,144				—				3,295,144			—
	Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core	1,850,340				—				1,850,340			—
	Foreign Large Cap Value	1,641,619				—				1,641,619			—
	Mutual Funds:
	Bonds
	Domestic Fixed Income	6,289,437				—				6,289,437			—
	Foreign Fixed Income	204,747				—				204,747			—
	Equities
	Domestic Large Cap Growth	2,088,528				—				2,088,528			—
	Foreign Large Cap Value	608,787				—				608,787			—
	Foreign Large Cap Core	818,214				—				818,214			—
	Total	$	20,514,179			$	182,644			$	20,331,535		$	—
						Defined Benefit Pension Plan
						Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2013
		Fair Value				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
	Asset Class:
	Cash	$	66,084			$	66,084			$	—		$	—
	Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds:
	Bonds
	Domestic Fixed Income	2,043,005				—				2,043,005			—
	Equities
	Domestic Large Cap Growth	2,769,927				—				2,769,927			—
	Domestic Large Cap Value	3,430,746				—				3,430,746			—
	Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core	1,770,381				—				1,770,381			—
	Mutual Funds:
	Bonds
	Domestic Fixed Income	4,326,814				—				4,326,814			—
	Foreign Fixed Income	597,799				—				597,799			—
	Equities
	Domestic Large Cap Growth	2,115,392				—				2,115,392			—
	Foreign Large Cap Value	698,554				—				698,554			—
	Foreign Large Cap Core	982,560				—				982,560			—
	Total	$	18,801,262			$	66,084			$	18,735,178		$	—
						Postretirement Benefit Plan
						Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2014
		Fair Value				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
	Asset Class:
	Cash	$	116,173			$	116,173			$	—		$	—
	Mutual Funds
	Bonds
	Domestic Fixed Income	4,658,299				—				4,658,299			—
	Foreign Fixed Income	101,904				—				101,904			—
	Equities
	Domestic Large Cap Growth	1,789,381				—				1,789,381			—
	Domestic Large Cap Value	1,759,740				—				1,759,740			—
	Domestic Small/Mid Cap Growth	400,898				—				400,898			—
	Domestic Small/Mid Cap Value	396,537				—				396,537			—
	Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core	37,741				—				37,741			—
	Foreign Large Cap Value	941,153				—				941,153			—
	Foreign Large Cap Core	394,769				—				394,769			—
	Other	49,654				—				49,654			—
	Total	$	10,646,249			$	116,173			$	10,530,076		$	—
						Postretirement Benefit Plan
						Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2013
		Fair Value				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
	Asset Class:
	Cash	$	124,350			$	124,350			$	—		$	—
	Mutual Funds
	Bonds
	Domestic Fixed Income	3,448,416				—				3,448,416			—
	Foreign Fixed Income	214,528				—				214,528			—
	Equities
	Domestic Large Cap Growth	2,277,582				—				2,277,582			—
	Domestic Large Cap Value	1,671,591				—				1,671,591			—
	Domestic Small/Mid Cap Growth	480,438				—				480,438			—
	Domestic Small/Mid Cap Value	467,661				—				467,661			—
	Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core	35,809				—				35,809			—
	Foreign Large Cap Growth	420,153				—				420,153			—
	Foreign Large Cap Value	386,684				—				386,684			—
	Foreign Large Cap Core	534,747				—				534,747			—
	Other	52,103				—				52,103			—
	Total	$	10,114,062			$	124,350			$	9,989,712		$	—
Each mutual fund has been categorized based on its primary investment strategy.
The Company expects to contribute $800,000 to its pension plan and $500,000 to its postretirement benefit plan in fiscal 2015.
The following table reflects expected future benefit payments:
	Fiscal year ending September 30	Pension				Postretirement
		Plan				Plan
	2015	$	658,958			$	700,411
	2016	663,482				706,182
	2017	697,730				701,764
	2018	765,358				702,568
	2019	806,282				718,275
	2020-2024	5,802,914				4,143,874
The Company also sponsors a defined contribution plan (“401k Plan”) covering all employees who elect to participate. Employees may contribute from 1% to 50% of their annual compensation to the 401k Plan, limited to a maximum annual amount as set periodically by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company matches 100% of the participant’s first 4% of contributions and 50% on the next 2% of contributions. Company matching contributions were $330,241, $306,382 and $295,584 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Common_Stock_Options

Common Stock Options	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Common Stock Options	'
	COMMON STOCK OPTIONS
	The Company’s stockholders approved the RGC Resources, Inc. Key Employee Stock Option Plan (“KESOP”). The KESOP provides for the issuance of common stock options to officers and certain other full-time salaried employees to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock. As of September 30, 2014, the number of shares available for future grants was 66,000.
	FASB ASC No. 718 - Compensation-Stock Compensation requires that compensation expense be recognized for the issuance of equity instruments to employees. During the fiscal years ended 2014 and 2013, the Board approved stock option grants to certain officers. As required by the KESOP, each option's exercise price per share equaled the fair value of the Company's common stock on the grant date. Pursuant to the Plan, the options vest over a six-month period and are exercisable over a ten-year period from the date of issuance.
	As the Company's stock options are not traded on the open market, the fair value of each grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model including the following assumptions:
		Years Ended September 30,
		2014		2013	2012
	Expected volatility	35.01%		34.75%	N/A
	Expected dividends	4.21%		4.32%	N/A
	Expected exercise term (years)	7		7	N/A
	Risk-free interest rate	2.23%		1.23%	N/A
	The underlying methods regarding each assumption are as follows:
	Expected volatility is based on the historical volatilities of the daily closing price of the Company's common stock.
	Expected dividend rate is based on historical dividend payout trends.
	Expected exercise term is based on the average time historical option grants were outstanding before being exercised.
	Risk-free interest rate is based on the 7-year Treasury rate on the date of option grant.
	No forfeitures are assumed to occur.
	Stock option transactions under the Company's plans for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are summarized below:
			Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Terms (years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	Options outstanding, September 30, 2011		11,000		$	9.05	1.2	$	105,600
	Options granted		—		—
	Options exercised		(11,000	)	9.05
	Options expired		—		—
	Options forfeited		—		—
	Options outstanding, September 30, 2012		—		—		0	—
	Options granted		21,000		19.01
	Options exercised		—		—
	Options expired		—		—
	Options forfeited		—		—
	Options outstanding, September 30, 2013		21,000		19.01		9.5	5,229
	Options granted		17,000		18.95
	Options exercised		—		—
	Options expired		—		—
	Options forfeited		—		—
	Options outstanding, September 30, 2014		38,000		$	18.98	8.8	$	34,840
	Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2014		38,000		$	18.98	8.8	$	34,840
	The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $4.43 and $4.04. The intrinsic value of the options exercised during fiscal 2012 was $91,721. The Company recognized $75,310 and $84,840 in stock option expense in fiscal 2014 and 2013.
	The Company received $99,550 from the exercise of options in 2012. No options were exercised in 2013 or 2014.

Other_Stock_Plans

Other Stock Plans	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Stock Plans [Abstract]	'
Other Stock Plans	'
	OTHER STOCK PLANS
	Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan
	The Company offers a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DRIP”) to shareholders of record for the reinvestment of dividends and the purchase of additional investments of up to $40,000 per year in shares of common stock of the Company. Under the DRIP plan, the Company issued 7, 24,905 and 25,077 shares in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had 366,808 shares of stock available for issuance under the DRIP Plan.
	Restricted Stock Plan
	The Board of Directors of the Company implemented the Restricted Stock Plan for Outside Directors (“Plan”) effective January 27, 1997. Under the Plan, a minimum of 40% of the monthly retainer fee paid to each non-employee director of Resources is paid in shares of common stock (“Restricted Stock”). The number of shares of Restricted Stock is calculated each month based on the closing sales price of Resources' common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the first business day of the month. The Restricted Stock issued under this Plan vests only in the case of a participant's death, disability, retirement, or in the event of a change in control of Resources. The Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, assigned or pledged by the participant until the shares have vested under the terms of this Plan. The shares of Restricted Stock will be forfeited to Resources by a participant's voluntary resignation during his or her term on the Board or removal for cause as a director.
	The Company assumes all directors will complete their term and there will be no forfeiture of the Restricted Stock. Since the inception of the Plan, no director has forfeited any shares of Restricted Stock. The Company recognizes as compensation the market value of the Restricted Stock in the period it is issued.
	The following table reflects the director compensation activity pursuant to the Restricted Stock Plan:
		2014			2013			2012
		Shares	Weighted-Average Fair Value on Date of Grant		Shares	Weighted-Average Fair Value on Date of Grant		Shares		Weighted-Average Fair Value on Date of Grant
	Beginning of year balance	59,064	$	13.97	54,011	$	13.51	61,955		$	12.81
	Granted	3,780	19.37		5,053	18.93		5,327		18.23
	Vested	—	—		—	—		(13,271	)	12.16
	Forfeited	—	—		—	—		—		—
	End of year balance	62,844	$	14.29	59,064	$	13.97	54,011		$	13.51
	The fair market value of the Restricted Stock issued as compensation during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $73,200, $95,667 and $97,133. The fair market value of the Restricted Stock vested during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is $0, $0, and $161,338, respectively.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had 78,318 shares available for issuance under the Restricted Stock Plan. No shares of Restricted Stock were forfeited to Resources by a director during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.
	Stock Bonus Plan
	Under the Stock Bonus Plan, executive officers are encouraged to own a position in the Company’s common stock of at least 50% of the value of their annual salary. To promote this policy, the Plan provides that all officers with stock ownership positions below 50% of the value of their annual salaries must, unless approved by the Committee, receive no less than 50% of any performance bonus in the form of Company common stock. Shares from the Stock Bonus Plan may also be issued to certain employees and management personnel in recognition of their performance and service. Under the Stock Bonus Plan, the Company issued 4,098, 4,022 and 1,640 shares valued at $78,841, $72,580 and $30,763, respectively, in 2014, 2013 and 2012. As of September 30, 2014 the Company had 10,905 shares of stock available for issuance under the Stock Bonus Plan.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Long-Term Contracts
	Due to the nature of the natural gas distribution business, the Company enters into agreements with both suppliers and pipelines to contract for natural gas commodity purchases, storage capacity and pipeline delivery capacity. The Company obtains most of its regulated natural gas supply through an asset management contract between Roanoke Gas and a third party asset manager. The Company utilizes an asset manager to optimize the use of its transportation, storage rights, and gas supply inventories which helps to ensure a secure and reliable source of natural gas. Effective November 1, 2013, the Company entered into a new asset management agreement with a different asset manager. Under the asset management contract, the Company has designated the asset manager as agent for their storage capacity and all gas balances in storage. The Company retains ownership of gas in storage. Under provisions of this contract, the Company is obligated to purchase its winter storage requirements from the asset manager during the spring and summer injection periods at market price. The table below details the volumetric obligations as of September 30, 2014 for the remainder of the contract period.
		Year	Natural Gas Contracts
			(In Decatherms)
		2014-2015	2,071,061
		2015-2016	2,071,061
		2016-2017	295,866
		Total	4,437,988
	The Company also has contracts for pipeline and storage capacity which extend for various periods. These capacity costs and related fees are valued at tariff rates in place as of September 30, 2014. These rates may increase or decrease in the future based upon rate filings and rate orders granting a rate change to the pipeline or storage operator. The Company expended approximately $44,884,000, $35,348,000 and $26,794,000 under the asset management, pipeline and storage contracts for Roanoke Gas in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The table below details the pipeline and storage capacity obligations as of September 30, 2014 for the remainder of the contract period.
		Year	Pipeline and
			Storage Capacity
		2014-2015	$	11,383,418
		2015-2016	11,359,785
		2016-2017	9,971,107
		2017-2018	7,764,268
		2018-2019	6,139,313
		Thereafter	2,411,198
		Total	$	49,029,089
	Other Contracts
	The Company maintains other agreements in the ordinary course of business covering various lease, maintenance, equipment and service contracts. These agreements currently extend through December 2031 and are not material to the Company.
	Legal
	From time to time, the Company may become involved in litigation or claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. Management currently believes the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these actions will not materially affect the Company's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
	Environmental Matters
	Both Roanoke Gas Company and a previously owned gas subsidiary operated manufactured gas plants (MGPs) as a source of fuel for lighting and heating until the early 1950’s. A by-product of operating MGPs was coal tar, and the potential exists for on-site tar waste contaminants at the former plant sites. While the Company does not currently recognize any commitments or contingencies related to environmental costs at either site, should the Company ever be required to remediate either site, it will pursue all prudent and reasonable means to recover any related costs, including the use of insurance claims and regulatory approval for rate case recognition of expenses associated with any work required.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy as defined in Note 1 as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively:
					Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2014
			Fair Value		Quoted Prices in		Significant  Other		Significant
					Active Markets		Observable		Unobservable
					Level 1		Inputs		Inputs
							Level 2		Level 3
		Liabilities:
		Natural gas purchases	$	795,019	$	—	$	795,019	$	—
		Total	$	795,019	$	—	$	795,019	$	—
					Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2013
			Fair Value		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
					Active Markets		Observable		Unobservable
					Level 1		Inputs		Inputs
							Level  2		Level 3
		Liabilities:
		Natural gas purchases	$	1,177,521	$	—	$	1,177,521	$	—
		Interest rate swaps	1,986,695		—		1,986,695		—
		Total	$	3,164,216	$	—	$	3,164,216	$	—
	Under the asset management contract, a timing difference can exist between the payment for natural gas purchases and the actual receipt of such purchases. Payments are made based on a predetermined monthly volume with the price based on the weighted average first of the month index prices corresponding to the month of the scheduled payment. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company had recorded in accounts payable the estimated fair value of the liability determined on the corresponding first of month index prices for which the liability was expected to be settled.
	The fair value of the interest rate swaps, included in the line item “Fair value of marked-to-market transactions”, is determined by using the counterparty’s proprietary models and certain assumptions regarding past, present and future market conditions.
	The Company’s nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis consist of its asset retirement obligations. The asset retirement obligations are measured at fair value at initial recognition based on expected future cash flows to settle the obligation.
	The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, borrowings under line-of-credit, accounts payable (with the exception of the timing difference under the asset management contract), customer credit balances and customer deposits is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are not adjusted to fair value in the financial statements as of September 30, 2014 and 2013.
					Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2014
			Carrying		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
			Amount		Active Markets		Observable  Inputs		Unobservable
					Level 1		Level 2		Inputs
									Level 3
		Liabilities:
		Long-term debt	$	30,500,000	$	—	$	—	$	30,622,664
		Total	$	30,500,000	$	—	$	—	$	30,622,664
					Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2013
			Carrying		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
			Amount		Active  Markets		Observable  Inputs		Unobservable
					Level 1		Level 2		Inputs
									Level 3
		Liabilities:
		Note payable	$	15,000,000	$	—	$	—	$	14,976,818
		Long-term debt	13,000,000		—		—		13,762,952
		Total	$	28,000,000	$	—	$	—	$	28,739,770
	Note payable is included in current liabilities at September 30, 2013.
	The fair value of the note payable was estimated by using the interest rate under the Company’s line-of-credit agreement which renewed at the same time as the term note. Both the line-of-credit and term note have a term of one year. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated by discounting the future cash flows of the fixed rate debt based on the underlying 20-year Treasury rate and estimated credit spread for the note issued in 2014 and rates extrapolated based on market conditions for the prior year. The variable rate long-term debt and note payable had interest rate swaps that effectively convert such debt to a fixed rate. The values of the swap agreements are included in the second table above.
	FASB ASC 825 – Financial Instruments requires disclosures regarding concentrations of credit risk from financial instruments. Cash equivalents are investments in high-grade, short-term securities (original maturity less than three months), placed with financially sound institutions. Accounts receivable are from a diverse group of customers including individuals and small and large companies in various industries. The Company maintains certain credit standards with its customers and requires a customer deposit if such evaluation warrants.

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	'
	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
	Quarterly financial data for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is summarized as follows:
		2014	First		Second		Third		Fourth
			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
		Operating revenues	$	20,011,194	$	32,699,965	$	12,024,817	$	10,280,158
		Gross margin	$	8,202,992	$	10,161,125	$	5,721,551	$	5,251,421
		Operating income	$	3,272,646	$	5,121,022	$	940,691	$	347,509
		Net income (loss)	$	1,722,788	$	2,846,795	$	283,194	$	(144,337	)
		Earnings per share of common stock:
		Basic	$	0.37	$	0.6	$	0.06	$	(0.03	)
		Diluted	$	0.37	$	0.6	$	0.06	$	(0.03	)
		2013	First		Second		Third		Fourth
			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
		Operating revenues	$	18,746,592	$	24,175,638	$	11,037,308	$	9,246,128
		Gross margin	$	7,936,483	$	9,585,727	$	5,229,027	$	4,851,654
		Operating income	$	2,950,091	$	4,813,348	$	645,821	$	385,795
		Net income (loss)	$	1,554,153	$	2,698,707	$	110,103	$	(100,911	)
		Earnings per share of common stock:
		Basic	$	0.33	$	0.57	$	0.02	$	(0.02	)
		Diluted	$	0.33	$	0.57	$	0.02	$	(0.02	)

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. There were no items not otherwise disclosed which would have materially impacted the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation—RGC Resources, Inc. is an energy services company engaged in the sale and distribution of natural gas. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of RGC Resources, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Resources” or the “Company”): Roanoke Gas Company (“Roanoke Gas”); Diversified Energy Company; and RGC Ventures of Virginia, Inc., operating as Application Resources and The Utility Consultants. Roanoke Gas is a natural gas utility, which distributes and sells natural gas to approximately 58,600 residential, commercial and industrial customers within its service areas in Roanoke, Virginia and the surrounding localities. The Company’s business is seasonal in nature and weather dependent as a majority of natural gas sales are for space heating during the winter season. Roanoke Gas is regulated by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (“SCC” or “Virginia Commission”). Application Resources provides information system services to software providers in the utility industry. The Utility Consultants provides regulatory consulting services to other utilities. Diversified Energy Company is currently inactive.
	The Company follows accounting and reporting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
	Resources has only one reportable segment as defined under FASB ASC No. 280 – Segment Reporting. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Rate Regulated Basis of Accounting	'
	Rate Regulated Basis of Accounting—The Company’s regulated operations follow the accounting and reporting requirements of FASB ASC No. 980, Regulated Operations. The economic effects of regulation can result in a regulated company deferring costs that have been or are expected to be recovered from customers in a period different from the period in which the costs would be charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise. When this situation occurs, costs are deferred as assets in the consolidated balance sheet (regulatory assets) and recorded as expenses when such amounts are reflected in rates. Additionally, regulators can impose liabilities upon a regulated company for amounts previously collected from customers and for current collection in rates of costs that are expected to be incurred in the future (regulatory liabilities). In the event the provisions of FASB ASC No. 980 no longer apply to any or all regulatory assets or liabilities, the Company would write off such amounts and include them in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income in the period for which FASB ASC No. 980 no longer applied.
Utility Plant and Depreciation	'
	Utility Plant and Depreciation—Utility plant is stated at original cost. The cost of additions to utility plant includes direct charges and overhead. The cost of depreciable property retired is charged to accumulated depreciation. The cost of asset removals, less salvage, is charged to “regulatory cost of retirement obligations” or “asset retirement obligations” as explained under Asset Retirement Obligations below. Maintenance, repairs, and minor renewals and betterments of property are charged to operations and maintenance.
	Provisions for depreciation are computed principally at composite straight-line rates as determined by depreciation studies required to be performed on the regulated utility assets of Roanoke Gas Company at least every five years. The Company completed its most recent depreciation study and the SCC approved the new depreciation rates in September 2014. The SCC instructed the Company to implement these new rates retroactive to October 1, 2013. As a result of the new rates, the composite weighted-average depreciation rate declined slightly to 3.25% for the year ended September 30, 2014 as compared to 3.35% and 3.34% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The change in depreciation rates is considered a change in accounting estimate and is recorded in the period in which the Company received approval from the SCC. The effect of this change in estimate was to reduce depreciation expense by $126,875 and increase net income by $78,713 and earnings per share by $0.02 for the year ended September 30, 2014.
	The composite rates are comprised of two components, one based on average service life and one based on cost of retirement. As a result, the Company accrues the estimated cost of retirement of long-lived assets through depreciation expense. Retirement costs are not a legal obligation but rather the result of cost-based regulation and are accounted for under the provisions of FASB ASC No. 980. Such amounts are classified as a regulatory liability.
	The Company reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. These reviews have not identified any impairments which would have a material effect on the results of operations or financial condition.
Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	Asset Retirement Obligations—FASB ASC No. 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation when there exists a legal obligation for the retirement of the asset. When the liability is initially recorded, the entity capitalizes the cost, thereby increasing the carrying amount of the underlying asset. In subsequent periods, the liability is accreted, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset. The Company has recorded asset retirement obligations for its future legal obligations related to evacuating and capping its distribution mains and services upon retirement, although the timing of such retirements is uncertain.
	The Company’s composite depreciation rates include a component to provide for the cost of retirement of assets. As a result, the Company accrues the estimated cost of retirement of its utility plant through depreciation expense and creates a corresponding regulatory liability. The costs of retirement considered in the development of the depreciation component include those costs associated with the legal liability. Therefore, the asset retirement obligation is reclassified from the regulatory cost of retirement obligation. If the legal obligations were to exceed the regulatory liability provided for in the depreciation rates, the Company would establish a regulatory asset for such difference with the anticipation of future recovery through rates charged to customers. In both 2014 and 2013, the Company increased its asset retirement obligation to reflect changes in the estimated cash flows for asset retirements.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	'
	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments—From time to time, the Company will have balances on deposit at banks in excess of the amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company has not experienced any losses on these accounts and does not consider these amounts to be at credit risk. As of September 30, 2014, the Company did not have any bank deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limits. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Customer Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Customer Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts—Accounts receivable include amounts billed to customers for natural gas sales and related services and gas sales occurring subsequent to normal billing cycles but before the end of the period. The Company provides an estimate for losses on these receivables by utilizing historical information, current account balances, account aging and current economic conditions. Customer accounts are charged off annually when deemed uncollectible or when turned over to a collection agency for action.
Financing Receivables	'
	Financing Receivables—Financing receivables represent a contractual right to receive money either on demand or on fixed or determinable dates and are recognized as assets on the entity’s balance sheet. Trade receivables are the Company's one primary type of financing receivables, resulting from the sale of natural gas and other services to its customers. These receivable are short-term in nature with a provision for uncollectible balances included in the financial statements.
Inventories	'
	Inventories—Inventories, consisting of natural gas in storage and materials and supplies, are recorded at average cost. Injections into storage are priced at the purchase cost at the time of injection and withdrawals from storage are priced at the weighted average price in storage. Materials and supplies are removed from inventory at average cost.
Unbilled Revenues	'
	Unbilled Revenues—The Company bills its natural gas customers on a monthly cycle basis; however, the billing cycle period for most customers does not coincide with the accounting periods used for financial reporting. As the Company recognizes revenue when gas is delivered, an accrual is made to estimate revenues for natural gas delivered to customers but not billed during the accounting period.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes—Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance against deferred tax assets is provided if it is more likely than not the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company and its subsidiaries file state and federal consolidated income tax returns.
Debt Expenses	'
	Debt Expenses—Debt issuance expenses are amortized over the lives of the debt instruments.
Over/Under-Recovery of Natural Gas Costs	'
	Over/Under-Recovery of Natural Gas Costs—Pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s Purchased Gas Adjustment (“PGA”) clause, the SCC provides the Company with a method of passing along to its customers increases or decreases in natural gas costs incurred by its regulated operations, including gains and losses on natural gas derivative hedging instruments. On a quarterly basis, the Company files a PGA rate adjustment request with the SCC to adjust the gas cost component of its rates up or down depending on projected price and activity. Once administrative approval is received, the Company adjusts the gas cost component of its rates to reflect the approved amount. As actual costs will differ from the projections used in establishing the PGA rate, the Company may either over-recover or under-recover its actual gas costs during the period. Any difference between actual costs incurred and costs recovered through the application of the PGA is recorded as a regulatory asset or liability. At the end of the deferral period, the balance of the net deferred charge or credit is amortized over an ensuing 12-month period as amounts are reflected in customer billings.
Fair Value	'
	Fair Value—Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company determines fair value based on the following fair value hierarchy which prioritizes each input to the valuation methods into one of the following three broad levels:
	•	Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
	•	Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in Level 1 that are either for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
	•	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability where there is little, if any, market activity which require the Company to develop its own assumptions.
	The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). All fair value disclosures are categorized within one of the three categories in the hierarchy. See fair value disclosures below and in Notes 6 and 10.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Excise and Sales Taxes	'
	Excise and Sales Taxes—Certain excise and sales taxes imposed by the state and local governments in the Company’s service territory are collected by the Company from its customers. These taxes are accounted for on a net basis and therefore are not included as revenues in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share—Basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period and the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period plus dilutive potential common shares, respectively. Dilutive potential common shares are calculated in accordance with the treasury stock method, which assumes that proceeds from the exercise of all options are used to repurchase common stock at market value. The amount of shares remaining after the proceeds are exhausted represents the potentially dilutive effect of the securities.
Business and Credit Concentrations	'
	Business and Credit Concentrations—The primary business of the Company is the distribution of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers in its service territories.
	No regulated sales to individual customers accounted for more than 5% of total revenue in any period or amounted to more than 5% of total accounts receivable.
	Roanoke Gas currently holds the only franchises and/or certificates of public convenience and necessity to distribute natural gas in its service area. These franchises are effective through January 1, 2016. Certificates of public convenience and necessity in Virginia are exclusive and are intended for perpetual duration.
	Roanoke Gas is served directly by two primary pipelines. These two pipelines provide all of the natural gas supplied to the Company’s customers. Depending upon weather conditions and the level of customer demand, failure of one or both of these transmission pipelines could have a major adverse impact on the Company.
Derivative and Hedging Activities	'
	Derivative and Hedging Activities—FASB ASC No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging, requires the recognition of all derivative instruments as assets or liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet and measurement of those instruments at fair value.
	The Company’s hedging and derivatives policy allows management to enter into derivatives for the purpose of managing commodity and financial market risks of its business operations. The Company’s hedging and derivatives policy specifically prohibits the use of derivatives for speculative purposes. The key market risks that RGC Resources, Inc. hedges against include the price of natural gas and the cost of borrowed funds.
	The Company periodically enters into collars, swaps and caps for the purpose of hedging the price of natural gas in order to provide price stability during the winter months. The fair value of these instruments is recorded in the balance sheet with the offsetting entry to either under-recovery of gas costs or over-recovery of gas costs. Net income and other comprehensive income are not affected by the change in market value as any cost incurred or benefit received from these instruments is recoverable or refunded through the PGA as the SCC allows for full recovery of prudent costs associated with natural gas purchases. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company had no outstanding derivative instruments for the purchase of natural gas.
	The Company also had two interest rate swaps that essentially converted its variable interest rate notes to fixed rate debt instruments. Both swaps were terminated in September 2014 as part of the Company's debt refinancing as described in more detail in Note 4. These swaps qualified as cash flow hedges with changes in fair value reported in other comprehensive income.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Other Comprehensive Income(Loss)—A summary of other comprehensive income is provided below:
			Before Tax			Tax			Net-of Tax
			Amount			(Expense)			Amount
						or Benefit
		Year Ended September 30, 2014:
		Interest rate swaps:
		Unrealized losses	$	(58,800	)	$	22,321		$	(36,479	)
		Transfer of realized losses to interest expense	926,262			(351,609		)	574,653
		Transfer of realized losses to regulatory asset	1,119,233			(424,861		)	694,372
		Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps	1,986,695			(754,149		)	1,232,546
		Defined benefit plans:
		Net loss arising during period	(397,714		)	151,131			(246,583		)
		Amortization of actuarial losses	41,846			(15,901		)	25,945
		Net defined benefit plans	(355,868		)	135,230			(220,638		)
		Other comprehensive income	$	1,630,827		$	(618,919	)	$	1,011,908
		Year Ended September 30, 2013:
		Interest rate swaps:
		Unrealized losses	$	(20,479	)	$	7,774		$	(12,705	)
		Transfer of realized losses to interest expense	950,501			(360,811		)	589,690
		Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps	930,022			(353,037		)	576,985
		Defined benefit plans:
		Net gain arising during period	1,714,890			(651,659		)	1,063,231
		Amortization of actuarial losses	219,890			(83,558		)	136,332
		Amortization of transition obligation	35,972			(13,669		)	22,303
		Net defined benefit plans	1,970,752			(748,886		)	1,221,866
		Other comprehensive income	$	2,900,774		$	(1,101,923	)	$	1,798,851
		Year Ended September 30, 2012:
		Interest rate swaps:
		Unrealized losses	$	(543,826	)	$	206,437		$	(337,389	)
		Transfer of realized losses to interest expense	939,285			(356,553		)	582,732
		Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps	395,459			(150,116		)	245,343
		Defined benefit plans:
		Net loss arising during period	(508,666		)	193,294			(315,372		)
		Amortization of actuarial losses	200,136			(76,052		)	124,084
		Amortization of transition obligation	47,093			(17,895		)	29,198
		Net defined benefit plans	(261,437		)	99,347			(162,090		)
		Other comprehensive income	$	134,022		$	(50,769	)	$	83,253
	The amortization of actuarial losses and transition obligation is included as components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs and is included in operations and maintenance expense.
	Composition of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
			Interest Rate			Defined Benefit			Accumulated
			Swaps			Plans			Other
									Comprehensive
									Income (Loss)
		Balance September 30, 2011	$	(2,054,874	)	$	(1,978,464	)	$	(4,033,338	)
		Other comprehensive income (loss)	245,343			(162,090		)	83,253
		Balance September 30, 2012	(1,809,531		)	(2,140,554		)	(3,950,085		)
		Other comprehensive income (loss)	576,985			1,221,866			1,798,851
		Balance September 30, 2013	(1,232,546		)	(918,688		)	(2,151,234		)
		Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,232,546			(220,638		)	1,011,908
		Balance September 30, 2014	$	—		$	(1,139,326	)	$	(1,139,326	)
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards—In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance under FASB ASC No. 220 - Comprehensive Income that defines the presentation of Comprehensive Income in the financial statements. According to the guidance, an entity may present a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or two separate statements - a statement of income and a statement of other comprehensive income that immediately follows the statement of income. In either presentation, the entity is required to present on the face of the financial statement the components of other comprehensive income including the reclassification adjustment for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income. In December 2011, the FASB issued additional guidance under FASB ASC No. 220 that deferred the effective date of earlier guidance with regard to the presentation of reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income. All other provisions of the original guidance remain in effect. In February 2013, the FASB issued additional guidance regarding the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. Under the new provisions, an entity must present the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The disclosures required under this guidance are provided above.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards—In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance under FASB ASC No. 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers that affects any entity that enters into contracts with customers for the transfer of goods or services or transfer of non-financial assets. This guidance will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply these steps: (1) identify the contract with the customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies the performance obligation. The new guidance is effective for the Company for the annual reporting period ended September 30, 2018 and interim periods within that annual period. Early application is not permitted. Management has not completed its evaluation of the new guidance. However, the Company does not currently expect the new guidance to have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standard–setting bodies are not currently applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities	'
	Regulatory assets and liabilities included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
			September 30
			2014			2013
		Regulatory Assets:
		Current Assets:
		Accounts receivable:
		Accrued WNA revenues	$	143,753		$	—
		Under-recovery of gas costs	180,831			—
		Other:
		Accrued pension and postretirement medical	394,215			184,063
		Utility Property:
		In service:
		Other	11,945			11,945
		Other Assets:
		Regulatory assets:
		Premium on early retirement of debt	2,283,744			65,817
		Accrued pension and postretirement medical	6,884,812			4,267,211
		Other	104,833			141,083
		Total regulatory assets	$	10,004,133		$	4,670,119
		Regulatory Liabilities:
		Current Liabilities:
		Over-recovery of gas costs	$	—		$	1,027,303
		Accrued expenses:
		Over-recovery of SAVE Plan revenues	187,203			—
		Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
		Asset retirement obligations	4,802,015			4,525,355
		Regulatory cost of retirement obligations	8,575,147			8,180,173
		Total regulatory liabilities	$	13,564,365		$	13,732,831
Summary of Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	The following is a summary of the asset retirement obligation:
			Years Ended September 30
			2014			2013
		Beginning balance	$	4,525,355		$	4,251,295
		Liabilities incurred	74,276			75,312
		Liabilities settled	(165,845		)	(194,602		)
		Accretion	258,763			249,293
		Revisions to estimated cash flows	109,466			144,057
		Ending balance	$	4,802,015		$	4,525,355
Reconciliation of Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	A reconciliation of changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:
			Years Ended September 30
			2014			2013			2012
		Beginning balance	$	68,539		$	65,219		$	66,058
		Provision for doubtful accounts	148,881			85,033			11,588
		Recoveries of accounts written off	136,369			122,432			134,331
		Accounts written off	(283,042		)	(204,145		)	(146,758		)
		Ending balance	$	70,747		$	68,539		$	65,219
Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	A reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share is presented below:
			Years Ended September 30
			2014			2013			2012
		Net Income	$	4,708,440		$	4,262,052		$	4,296,745
		Weighted-average common shares	4,715,478			4,698,727			4,647,439
		Effect of dilutive securities:
		Options to purchase common stock	804			39			3,510
		Diluted average common shares	4,716,282			4,698,766			4,650,949
		Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:
		Basic	$	1		$	0.91		$	0.92
		Diluted	$	1		$	0.91		$	0.92
Schedule of Derivative Instruments at Fair Value	'
	The table below reflects the fair values of the derivative instruments and their corresponding classification in the consolidated balance sheets under the current liabilities caption of “Fair value of marked-to-market transactions” as of September 30, 2014 and 2013:
			September 30
			2014			2013
		Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
		Interest rate swaps	$	—		$	1,986,695
		Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	—		$	1,986,695
Summary of Other Comprehensive Loss and Financial Instrument Activity	'
	A summary of other comprehensive income is provided below:
			Before Tax			Tax			Net-of Tax
			Amount			(Expense)			Amount
						or Benefit
		Year Ended September 30, 2014:
		Interest rate swaps:
		Unrealized losses	$	(58,800	)	$	22,321		$	(36,479	)
		Transfer of realized losses to interest expense	926,262			(351,609		)	574,653
		Transfer of realized losses to regulatory asset	1,119,233			(424,861		)	694,372
		Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps	1,986,695			(754,149		)	1,232,546
		Defined benefit plans:
		Net loss arising during period	(397,714		)	151,131			(246,583		)
		Amortization of actuarial losses	41,846			(15,901		)	25,945
		Net defined benefit plans	(355,868		)	135,230			(220,638		)
		Other comprehensive income	$	1,630,827		$	(618,919	)	$	1,011,908
		Year Ended September 30, 2013:
		Interest rate swaps:
		Unrealized losses	$	(20,479	)	$	7,774		$	(12,705	)
		Transfer of realized losses to interest expense	950,501			(360,811		)	589,690
		Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps	930,022			(353,037		)	576,985
		Defined benefit plans:
		Net gain arising during period	1,714,890			(651,659		)	1,063,231
		Amortization of actuarial losses	219,890			(83,558		)	136,332
		Amortization of transition obligation	35,972			(13,669		)	22,303
		Net defined benefit plans	1,970,752			(748,886		)	1,221,866
		Other comprehensive income	$	2,900,774		$	(1,101,923	)	$	1,798,851
		Year Ended September 30, 2012:
		Interest rate swaps:
		Unrealized losses	$	(543,826	)	$	206,437		$	(337,389	)
		Transfer of realized losses to interest expense	939,285			(356,553		)	582,732
		Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps	395,459			(150,116		)	245,343
		Defined benefit plans:
		Net loss arising during period	(508,666		)	193,294			(315,372		)
		Amortization of actuarial losses	200,136			(76,052		)	124,084
		Amortization of transition obligation	47,093			(17,895		)	29,198
		Net defined benefit plans	(261,437		)	99,347			(162,090		)
		Other comprehensive income	$	134,022		$	(50,769	)	$	83,253
Schedule of Components of Accumulated Comprehensive Loss	'
	Composition of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
			Interest Rate			Defined Benefit			Accumulated
			Swaps			Plans			Other
									Comprehensive
									Income (Loss)
		Balance September 30, 2011	$	(2,054,874	)	$	(1,978,464	)	$	(4,033,338	)
		Other comprehensive income (loss)	245,343			(162,090		)	83,253
		Balance September 30, 2012	(1,809,531		)	(2,140,554		)	(3,950,085		)
		Other comprehensive income (loss)	576,985			1,221,866			1,798,851
		Balance September 30, 2013	(1,232,546		)	(918,688		)	(2,151,234		)
		Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,232,546			(220,638		)	1,011,908
		Balance September 30, 2014	$	—		$	(1,139,326	)	$	(1,139,326	)

ShortTerm_Debt_Tables

Short-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Short-term Debt [Abstract]	'
Summary of Available Limits Under Line of Credit Agreement	'
	Available limits under this agreement for the remaining term are as follows:
		Effective	Available
			Line-of-Credit
		September 30, 2014	$	15,000,000
		October 24, 2014	19,000,000
		February 1, 2015	16,000,000
		March 1, 2015	12,000,000
Summary of Line of Credit	'
	A summary of the line-of-credit follows:
			September 30
			2014			2013			2012
		Line-of-credit at year-end	$	15,000,000		$	5,000,000		$	3,000,000
		Outstanding balance at year-end	9,045,050			—			—
		Highest month-end balance outstanding	9,045,050			1,414,955			—
		Average daily balance	1,340,833			80,593			—
		Average rate of interest during year on outstanding balances	1.16		%	1.21		%	—		%
		Interest rate at year-end	1.16		%	1.18		%	1.22		%
		Interest rate on unused line-of-credit	0.15		%	0.15		%	0.15		%

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-term debt consists of the following:
			September 30
			2014		2013
		Unsecured senior notes payable, at 4.26%, due on September 18, 2034	$	30,500,000	$	—
		Unsecured note payable, with variable interest rate based on three month LIBOR plus 125 basis point spread	—		5,000,000
		Unsecured senior note payable, at 7.66%	—		8,000,000
		Total long-term debt	30,500,000		13,000,000
		Less current maturities	—		—
		Total long-term debt	$	30,500,000	$	13,000,000
Summary of Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt	'
	The aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt for the next five years ending after September 30, 2014 are as follows:
	Year Ending September 30	Maturities
	2015	$	—
	2016	—
	2017	—
	2018	—
	2019	—
	Thereafter	30,500,000
	Total	$	30,500,000

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Details of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	'
	The details of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:
			Years Ended September 30
			2014			2013			2012
		Current income taxes:
		Federal	$	1,789,294		$	1,404,450		$	(38,608	)
		State	290,458			453,347			232,270
		Total current income taxes	2,079,752			1,857,797			193,662
		Deferred income taxes:
		Federal	687,417			829,080			2,269,921
		State	175,464			(33,051		)	184,405
		Total deferred income taxes	862,881			796,029			2,454,326
		Amortization of investment tax credits	(3,093		)	(9,039		)	(9,039		)
		Total income tax expense	$	2,939,540		$	2,644,787		$	2,638,949
Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense Based on Federal Statutory Rate	'
	Income tax expense for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 differed from amounts computed by applying the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 34% to earnings before income taxes due to the following:
			Years Ended September 30
			2014			2013			2012
		Income before income taxes	$	7,647,980		$	6,906,839		$	6,935,694
		Income tax expense computed at the federal statutory rate	$	2,600,313		$	2,348,325		$	2,358,136
		State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	307,509			277,395			275,005
		Amortization of investment tax credits	(3,093		)	(9,039		)	(9,039		)
		Other, net	34,811			28,106			14,847
		Total income tax expense	$	2,939,540		$	2,644,787		$	2,638,949
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:
			September 30
			2014			2013
		Deferred tax assets:
		Allowance for uncollectibles	$	26,855		$	26,017
		Accrued pension and postretirement medical benefits	2,077,409			1,997,001
		Accrued vacation	230,842			229,669
		Over-recovery of gas costs	—			389,965
		Costs of gas held in storage	973,651			1,055,768
		Accrued gas costs	36,305			8,999
		Deferred compensation	579,451			493,088
		Interest rate swap	—			754,149
		Other	295,654			214,172
		Total gross deferred tax assets	4,220,167			5,168,828
		Deferred tax liabilities:
		Utility plant	17,057,847			16,593,351
		Under-recovery of gas costs	68,643			—
		Total gross deferred tax liabilities	17,126,490			16,593,351
		Net deferred tax liability	$	12,906,323		$	11,424,523

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Changes in Benefit Obligations and Fair Value of Plan Assets, Funded Status of the Plan, and Amount Recognized in the Financial Statements	'
	The following tables set forth the benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, the funded status of the benefit plans, amounts recognized in the Company’s financial statements and the assumptions used.
			Pension Plan								Postretirement Plan
			2014				2013				2014			2013
		Accumulated benefit obligation	$	20,697,734			$	17,909,824			$	14,983,169		$	13,028,628
		Change in benefit obligation:
		Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	21,468,769			$	23,570,451			$	13,028,628		$	13,707,309
		Service cost	553,291				634,892				168,634			213,131
		Interest cost	1,020,302				946,247				602,684			531,845
		Actuarial (gain) loss	2,199,697				(3,105,394		)		1,673,552			(939,539		)
		Benefit payments, net of retiree contributions	(605,364		)		(577,427		)		(490,329		)	(484,118		)
		Benefit obligation at end of year	$	24,636,695			$	21,468,769			$	14,983,169		$	13,028,628
		Change in fair value of plan assets:
		Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	18,801,262			$	16,063,381			$	10,114,062		$	8,673,128
		Actual return on plan assets, net of taxes	1,750,033				2,215,308				522,516			1,075,052
		Employer contributions	568,248				1,100,000				500,000			850,000
		Benefit payments, net of retiree contributions	(605,364		)		(577,427		)		(490,329		)	(484,118		)
		Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	20,514,179			$	18,801,262			$	10,646,249		$	10,114,062
		Funded status	$	(4,122,516	)		$	(2,667,507	)		$	(4,336,920	)	$	(2,914,566	)
		Amounts recognized in the balance sheets consist of:
		Noncurrent liabilities	$	(4,122,516	)		$	(2,667,507	)		$	(4,336,920	)	$	(2,914,566	)
		Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
		Transition obligation, net of tax	$	—			$	—			$	—		$	—
		Net actuarial loss, net of tax	616,352				591,195				522,974			327,493
		Total amounts included in other comprehensive loss, net of tax	$	616,352			$	591,195			$	522,974		$	327,493
		Amounts deferred to a regulatory asset:
		Transition obligation	$	—			$	—			$	—		$	—
		Net actuarial loss	4,166,900				2,581,852				3,112,127			1,869,422
		Amounts recognized as regulatory assets	$	4,166,900			$	2,581,852			$	3,112,127		$	1,869,422
Schedule of Actuarial Assumptions Used	'
	The following table details the actuarial assumptions used in determining the projected benefit obligations and net benefit cost of the pension and the accumulated benefit obligations and net benefit cost of the postretirement plan for 2014, 2013 and 2012.
			Pension Plan									Postretirement Plan
			2014			2013			2012			2014		2013			2012
		Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
		Discount rate	4.22	%		4.82	%		4.06	%		4.1	%	4.73	%		3.95	%
		Expected rate of compensation increase	4	%		4	%		4	%		N/A		N/A			N/A
		Assumptions used to determine benefit costs:
		Discount rate	4.82	%		4.06	%		5.04	%		4.73	%	3.95	%		4.96	%
		Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7	%		7.25	%		7.25	%		4.92	%	5.11	%		5.11	%
		Expected rate of compensation increase	4	%		4	%		4	%		N/A		N/A			N/A
Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Cost	'
	Components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
			Pension Plan											Postretirement Plan
			2014				2013				2012			2014				2013			2012
		Service cost	$	553,291			$	634,892			$	521,701		$	168,634			$	213,131		$	195,777
		Interest cost	1,020,302				946,247				953,197			602,684				531,845			592,359
		Expected return on plan assets	(1,312,354		)		(1,184,787		)		(959,178		)	(496,476		)		(452,383		)	(367,359		)
		Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation	—				—				—			—				141,671			188,892
		Recognized loss	136,394				578,263				475,414			89,515				241,747			239,387
		Net periodic benefit cost	$	397,633			$	974,615			$	991,134		$	364,357			$	676,011		$	849,056
Summary of Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates Used	'
	The assumed health care cost trend rates used in measuring the accumulated benefit obligation for the postretirement medical plan as of September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are presented below:
			Pre 65									Post 65
			2014			2013			2012			2014		2013			2012
		Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	8.5	%		9	%		9	%		5	%	5	%		6	%
		Rate to which the cost trend is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	5	%		5	%		5	%		5	%	5	%		5	%
		Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2021			2021			2016			2014		2013			2013
Effect of a 1% Change in Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumptions	'
	The health care cost trend rate assumptions could have a significant effect on the amounts reported. A change of 1% would have the following effects:
			1% Increase				1% Decrease
		Effect on total service and interest cost components	$	128,000			$	(104,000	)
		Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	2,155,000				(1,769,000		)
Schedule of Target and Actual Asset Allocation	'
	The Company’s target and actual asset allocation in the pension and postretirement benefit plans as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 were:
			Pension Plan									Postretirement
												Plan
			Target			2014			2013			Target		2014			2013
		Asset category:
		Equity securities	60	%		60	%		63	%		50	%	55	%		62	%
		Debt securities	40	%		39	%		37	%		50	%	44	%		36	%
		Cash	—	%		1	%		—	%		—	%	1	%		1	%
		Other	—	%		—	%		—	%		—	%	—	%		1	%
Summary of Fair Value Classifications Of Benefit Plan Assets	'
	The following table contains the fair value classifications of the benefit plan assets:
							Defined Benefit Pension Plan
							Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2014
			Fair Value				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
		Asset Class:
		Cash	$	182,644			$	182,644			$	—		$	—
		Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds:
		Bonds
		Domestic Fixed Income	1,455,153				—				1,455,153			—
		Equities
		Domestic Large Cap Growth	2,079,566				—				2,079,566			—
		Domestic Large Cap Value	3,295,144				—				3,295,144			—
		Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core	1,850,340				—				1,850,340			—
		Foreign Large Cap Value	1,641,619				—				1,641,619			—
		Mutual Funds:
		Bonds
		Domestic Fixed Income	6,289,437				—				6,289,437			—
		Foreign Fixed Income	204,747				—				204,747			—
		Equities
		Domestic Large Cap Growth	2,088,528				—				2,088,528			—
		Foreign Large Cap Value	608,787				—				608,787			—
		Foreign Large Cap Core	818,214				—				818,214			—
		Total	$	20,514,179			$	182,644			$	20,331,535		$	—
							Defined Benefit Pension Plan
							Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2013
			Fair Value				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
		Asset Class:
		Cash	$	66,084			$	66,084			$	—		$	—
		Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds:
		Bonds
		Domestic Fixed Income	2,043,005				—				2,043,005			—
		Equities
		Domestic Large Cap Growth	2,769,927				—				2,769,927			—
		Domestic Large Cap Value	3,430,746				—				3,430,746			—
		Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core	1,770,381				—				1,770,381			—
		Mutual Funds:
		Bonds
		Domestic Fixed Income	4,326,814				—				4,326,814			—
		Foreign Fixed Income	597,799				—				597,799			—
		Equities
		Domestic Large Cap Growth	2,115,392				—				2,115,392			—
		Foreign Large Cap Value	698,554				—				698,554			—
		Foreign Large Cap Core	982,560				—				982,560			—
		Total	$	18,801,262			$	66,084			$	18,735,178		$	—
							Postretirement Benefit Plan
							Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2014
			Fair Value				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
		Asset Class:
		Cash	$	116,173			$	116,173			$	—		$	—
		Mutual Funds
		Bonds
		Domestic Fixed Income	4,658,299				—				4,658,299			—
		Foreign Fixed Income	101,904				—				101,904			—
		Equities
		Domestic Large Cap Growth	1,789,381				—				1,789,381			—
		Domestic Large Cap Value	1,759,740				—				1,759,740			—
		Domestic Small/Mid Cap Growth	400,898				—				400,898			—
		Domestic Small/Mid Cap Value	396,537				—				396,537			—
		Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core	37,741				—				37,741			—
		Foreign Large Cap Value	941,153				—				941,153			—
		Foreign Large Cap Core	394,769				—				394,769			—
		Other	49,654				—				49,654			—
		Total	$	10,646,249			$	116,173			$	10,530,076		$	—
						Postretirement Benefit Plan
						Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2013
		Fair Value				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
	Asset Class:
	Cash	$	124,350			$	124,350			$	—		$	—
	Mutual Funds
	Bonds
	Domestic Fixed Income	3,448,416				—				3,448,416			—
	Foreign Fixed Income	214,528				—				214,528			—
	Equities
	Domestic Large Cap Growth	2,277,582				—				2,277,582			—
	Domestic Large Cap Value	1,671,591				—				1,671,591			—
	Domestic Small/Mid Cap Growth	480,438				—				480,438			—
	Domestic Small/Mid Cap Value	467,661				—				467,661			—
	Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core	35,809				—				35,809			—
	Foreign Large Cap Growth	420,153				—				420,153			—
	Foreign Large Cap Value	386,684				—				386,684			—
	Foreign Large Cap Core	534,747				—				534,747			—
	Other	52,103				—				52,103			—
	Total	$	10,114,062			$	124,350			$	9,989,712		$	—
Schedule of Expected Future Benefit Payments	'
	The following table reflects expected future benefit payments:
		Fiscal year ending September 30	Pension				Postretirement
			Plan				Plan
		2015	$	658,958			$	700,411
		2016	663,482				706,182
		2017	697,730				701,764
		2018	765,358				702,568
		2019	806,282				718,275
		2020-2024	5,802,914				4,143,874

Common_Stock_Options_Tables

Common Stock Options (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value of Stock Options	'
	As the Company's stock options are not traded on the open market, the fair value of each grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model including the following assumptions:
		Years Ended September 30,
		2014		2013	2012
	Expected volatility	35.01%		34.75%	N/A
	Expected dividends	4.21%		4.32%	N/A
	Expected exercise term (years)	7		7	N/A
	Risk-free interest rate	2.23%		1.23%	N/A
Schedule of Aggregate Share Option Activity	'
	Stock option transactions under the Company's plans for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are summarized below:
			Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Terms (years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	Options outstanding, September 30, 2011		11,000		$	9.05	1.2	$	105,600
	Options granted		—		—
	Options exercised		(11,000	)	9.05
	Options expired		—		—
	Options forfeited		—		—
	Options outstanding, September 30, 2012		—		—		0	—
	Options granted		21,000		19.01
	Options exercised		—		—
	Options expired		—		—
	Options forfeited		—		—
	Options outstanding, September 30, 2013		21,000		19.01		9.5	5,229
	Options granted		17,000		18.95
	Options exercised		—		—
	Options expired		—		—
	Options forfeited		—		—
	Options outstanding, September 30, 2014		38,000		$	18.98	8.8	$	34,840
	Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2014		38,000		$	18.98	8.8	$	34,840

Other_Stock_Plans_Tables

Other Stock Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Stock Plans [Abstract]	'
Director Compensation Activity	'
	The following table reflects the director compensation activity pursuant to the Restricted Stock Plan:
		2014			2013			2012
		Shares	Weighted-Average Fair Value on Date of Grant		Shares	Weighted-Average Fair Value on Date of Grant		Shares		Weighted-Average Fair Value on Date of Grant
	Beginning of year balance	59,064	$	13.97	54,011	$	13.51	61,955		$	12.81
	Granted	3,780	19.37		5,053	18.93		5,327		18.23
	Vested	—	—		—	—		(13,271	)	12.16
	Forfeited	—	—		—	—		—		—
	End of year balance	62,844	$	14.29	59,064	$	13.97	54,011		$	13.51

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Volumetric Obligation [Member]	'
Schedule of Financial and Volumetric Obligations	'
	The table below details the volumetric obligations as of September 30, 2014 for the remainder of the contract period.
		Year	Natural Gas Contracts
			(In Decatherms)
		2014-2015	2,071,061
		2015-2016	2,071,061
		2016-2017	295,866
		Total	4,437,988
Financial Obligation [Member]	'
Schedule of Financial and Volumetric Obligations	'
	The table below details the pipeline and storage capacity obligations as of September 30, 2014 for the remainder of the contract period.
		Year	Pipeline and
			Storage Capacity
		2014-2015	$	11,383,418
		2015-2016	11,359,785
		2016-2017	9,971,107
		2017-2018	7,764,268
		2018-2019	6,139,313
		Thereafter	2,411,198
		Total	$	49,029,089

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value Of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy as defined in Note 1 as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively:
					Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2014
			Fair Value		Quoted Prices in		Significant  Other		Significant
					Active Markets		Observable		Unobservable
					Level 1		Inputs		Inputs
							Level 2		Level 3
		Liabilities:
		Natural gas purchases	$	795,019	$	—	$	795,019	$	—
		Total	$	795,019	$	—	$	795,019	$	—
					Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2013
			Fair Value		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
					Active Markets		Observable		Unobservable
					Level 1		Inputs		Inputs
							Level  2		Level 3
		Liabilities:
		Natural gas purchases	$	1,177,521	$	—	$	1,177,521	$	—
		Interest rate swaps	1,986,695		—		1,986,695		—
		Total	$	3,164,216	$	—	$	3,164,216	$	—
Summary of the Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Adjusted to Fair Value	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are not adjusted to fair value in the financial statements as of September 30, 2014 and 2013.
					Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2014
			Carrying		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
			Amount		Active Markets		Observable  Inputs		Unobservable
					Level 1		Level 2		Inputs
									Level 3
		Liabilities:
		Long-term debt	$	30,500,000	$	—	$	—	$	30,622,664
		Total	$	30,500,000	$	—	$	—	$	30,622,664
					Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2013
			Carrying		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
			Amount		Active  Markets		Observable  Inputs		Unobservable
					Level 1		Level 2		Inputs
									Level 3
		Liabilities:
		Note payable	$	15,000,000	$	—	$	—	$	14,976,818
		Long-term debt	13,000,000		—		—		13,762,952
		Total	$	28,000,000	$	—	$	—	$	28,739,770

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio1

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	'
	Quarterly financial data for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is summarized as follows:
		2014	First		Second		Third		Fourth
			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
		Operating revenues	$	20,011,194	$	32,699,965	$	12,024,817	$	10,280,158
		Gross margin	$	8,202,992	$	10,161,125	$	5,721,551	$	5,251,421
		Operating income	$	3,272,646	$	5,121,022	$	940,691	$	347,509
		Net income (loss)	$	1,722,788	$	2,846,795	$	283,194	$	(144,337	)
		Earnings per share of common stock:
		Basic	$	0.37	$	0.6	$	0.06	$	(0.03	)
		Diluted	$	0.37	$	0.6	$	0.06	$	(0.03	)
		2013	First		Second		Third		Fourth
			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
		Operating revenues	$	18,746,592	$	24,175,638	$	11,037,308	$	9,246,128
		Gross margin	$	7,936,483	$	9,585,727	$	5,229,027	$	4,851,654
		Operating income	$	2,950,091	$	4,813,348	$	645,821	$	385,795
		Net income (loss)	$	1,554,153	$	2,698,707	$	110,103	$	(100,911	)
		Earnings per share of common stock:
		Basic	$	0.33	$	0.57	$	0.02	$	(0.02	)
		Diluted	$	0.33	$	0.57	$	0.02	$	(0.02	)

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	pipeline
	customer
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of customers	58,600	'	'
Remaining amount of regulatory assets that did not earn a return during the recovery period	$7,527,613	'	'
Regulatory utility assets provision, review period	'5 years	'	'
Composite weighted-average depreciation rate	3.25%	3.35%	3.34%
Effect of change in deprecation rate on depreciation expense	126,875	'	'
Effect of change in depreciation rate on net income	78,713	'	'
Effect of change in deprecation rate on EPS (in usd per share)	$0.02	'	'
Unbilled revenue	$1,071,128	$1,056,253	'
Deferred charges, amortization period	'12 months	'	'
Percentage of total revenue	5.00%	'	'
Maximum Percentage Of Accounts Receivable From Single Customer	5.00%	'	'
Franchise effective date	1-Jan-16	'	'
Number of pipelines	2	'	'
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of derivative instruments	2	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Noncurrent regulatory assets	$9,273,389	$4,474,111
Total regulatory assets	10,004,133	4,670,119
Total regulatory liabilities	13,564,365	13,732,831
Over-recovery of Gas Costs [Member]	'	'
Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Current regulatory liabilities	0	1,027,303
Over-recovery of SAVE Plan revenues [Member]	'	'
Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Current regulatory liabilities	187,203	0
Asset Retirement Obligations [Member]	'	'
Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Noncurrent regulatory liabilities	4,802,015	4,525,355
Regulatory Cost of Retirement Obligations [Member]	'	'
Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Noncurrent regulatory liabilities	8,575,147	8,180,173
Accrued WNA revenues [Member]	'	'
Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Current regulatory assets	143,753	0
Under-Recovery Of Gas Costs [Member]	'	'
Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Current regulatory assets	180,831	0
Accrued Pension And Postretirement Medical [Member]	'	'
Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Current regulatory assets	394,215	184,063
Noncurrent regulatory assets	6,884,812	4,267,211
Utility Property, In Service, Other [Member]	'	'
Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Noncurrent regulatory assets	11,945	11,945
Premium On Early Retirement Of Debt [Member]	'	'
Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Noncurrent regulatory assets	2,283,744	65,817
Other [Member]	'	'
Regulatory Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]	'	'
Noncurrent regulatory assets	$104,833	$141,083

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Summary of Asset Retirement Obligations) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	$4,525,355	$4,251,295
Liabilities incurred	74,276	75,312
Liabilities settled	-165,845	-194,602
Accretion	258,763	249,293
Revisions to estimated cash flows	109,466	144,057
Ending balance	$4,802,015	$4,525,355

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Reconciliation of Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$68,539	$65,219	$66,058
Provision for doubtful accounts	148,881	85,033	11,588
Recoveries of accounts written off	136,369	122,432	134,331
Accounts written off	-283,042	-204,145	-146,758
Ending balance	$70,747	$68,539	$65,219

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	($144,337)	$283,194	$2,846,795	$1,722,788	($100,911)	$110,103	$2,698,707	$1,554,153	$4,708,440	$4,262,052	$4,296,745
Weighted-average common shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,715,478	4,698,727	4,647,439
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options to purchase common stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	804	39	3,510
Diluted average common shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,716,282	4,698,766	4,650,949
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in usd per share)	($0.03)	$0.06	$0.60	$0.37	($0.02)	$0.02	$0.57	$0.33	$1	$0.91	$0.92
Diluted (in usd per share)	($0.03)	$0.06	$0.60	$0.37	($0.02)	$0.02	$0.57	$0.33	$1	$0.91	$0.92

Summary_of_Significant_Account8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Derivative Instruments at Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$0	$1,986,695
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$0	$1,986,695

Summary_of_Significant_Account9

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Summary of Other Comprehensive Loss and Financial Instrument Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Before Tax Amount	'	'	'
Unrealized losses	($58,800)	($20,479)	($543,826)
Transfer of realized losses to interest expense	926,262	950,501	939,285
Transfer of realized losses to regulatory asset	1,119,233	'	'
Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps	1,986,695	930,022	395,459
Net gain (loss) arising during period	-397,714	1,714,890	-508,666
Amortization of actuarial losses	41,846	219,890	200,136
Amortization of transition obligation	'	35,972	47,093
Net defined benefit plans	-355,868	1,970,752	-261,437
Other comprehensive income	1,630,827	2,900,774	134,022
Tax (Expense) or Benefit	'	'	'
Unrealized losses	22,321	7,774	206,437
Transfer of realized losses to interest expense	-351,609	-360,811	-356,553
Transfer of realized losses to regulatory asset	-424,861	'	'
Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps	-754,149	-353,037	-150,116
Net gain (loss) arising during period	151,131	-651,659	193,294
Amortization of actuarial losses	-15,901	-83,558	-76,052
Amortization of transition obligation	'	-13,669	-17,895
Net defined benefit plans	135,230	-748,886	99,347
Other comprehensive income	-618,919	-1,101,923	-50,769
Net-of Tax Amount	'	'	'
Unrealized losses	-36,479	-12,705	-337,389
Transfer of realized losses to interest expense	574,653	589,690	582,732
Transfer of relized losses to regulatory asset	694,372	'	'
Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps	1,232,546	576,985	245,343
Net gain (loss) arising during period	246,583	-1,063,231	315,372
Amortization of actuarial losses	25,945	136,332	124,084
Amortization of transition obligation	'	22,303	29,198
Net defined benefit plans	-220,638	1,221,866	-162,090
Other comprehensive income	$1,011,908	$1,798,851	$83,253

Recovered_Sheet1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Components of Accumulated Comprehensive Loss) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Interest Rate Swaps	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	($1,232,546)	($1,809,531)	($2,054,874)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,232,546	576,985	245,343
Balance at end of period	0	-1,232,546	-1,809,531
Defined Benefit Plans	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	-918,688	-2,140,554	-1,978,464
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-220,638	1,221,866	-162,090
Balance at end of period	-1,139,326	-918,688	-2,140,554
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	-2,151,234	-3,950,085	-4,033,338
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,011,908	1,798,851	83,253
Balance at end of period	($1,139,326)	($2,151,234)	($3,950,085)

Regulatory_Matters_Details

Regulatory Matters (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2014	9-May-14	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Nov. 01, 2013
						New Base Rates [Member]
Rates And Regulatory Matters [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Requested additional non-gas revenue	'	'	'	'	'	$1,664,000
Non-gas revenues	'	887,062	'	'	'	'
Return on equity	'	9.75%	'	'	'	'
WNA weather band percentage	'	'	3.00%	'	'	'
Approved short term indebtedness authority	30,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Approved long term indebtedness authority	$60,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Regulatory utility assets provision, review period	'	'	'5 years	'	'	'
Composite weighted-average depreciation rate	'	'	3.25%	3.35%	3.34%	'

ShortTerm_Debt_Narrative_Detai

Short-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 18, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Short-term Debt [Abstract]	'	'	'
Expiration date	31-Mar-15	'	'
Unsecured term note	$0	$15,000,000	$15,000,000
Fixed rate related to interest rate swap	'	5.74%	'

ShortTerm_Debt_Summary_of_Avai

Short-Term Debt (Summary of Available Limits Under Line of Credit Agreement) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
September 30, 2014 [Member]	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'
Effective	30-Sep-14
Available Line-of-Credit	$15,000,000
October 24, 2014 [Member]	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'
Effective	24-Oct-14
Available Line-of-Credit	19,000,000
February 1, 2015 [Member]	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'
Effective	1-Feb-15
Available Line-of-Credit	16,000,000
March 1, 2015 [Member]	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'
Effective	1-Mar-15
Available Line-of-Credit	$12,000,000

ShortTerm_Debt_Summary_Of_Line

Short-Term Debt (Summary Of Line-Of-Credit) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Short-term Debt [Abstract]	'	'	'
Line-of-credit at year-end	$15,000,000	$5,000,000	$3,000,000
Outstanding balance at year-end	9,045,050	0	0
Highest month-end balance outstanding	9,045,050	1,414,955	0
Average daily balance	$1,340,833	$80,593	$0
Average rate of interest during year on outstanding balances	1.16%	1.21%	0.00%
Interest rate at year-end	1.16%	1.18%	1.22%
Interest rate on unused line-of-credit	0.15%	0.15%	0.15%

LongTerm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 18, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 18, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 18, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Notes Payable [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]

Unsecured Notes [Member]

Unsecured Notes [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes at 4.26%, due on September 18, 2034 [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes at 4.26%, due on September 18, 2034 [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes at 4.26%, due on September 18, 2034 [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes at 4.26%, due on September 18, 2034 [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes at 7.66% [Member]

Unsecured Senior Notes at 7.66% [Member]

debt_covenant

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$30,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

Stated percentage rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.26%

4.26%

'

7.66%

7.66%

'

'

Long-term debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,500,000

'

0

0

8,000,000

0

5,000,000

Unsecured term note

0

15,000,000

'

15,000,000

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed rate related to interest rate swap

'

'

'

5.74%

5.74%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.79%

Early termination fees

$2,237,961

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of debt covenants

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt covenant, maximum ratio of total long-term debt to total capitalization

'

'

'

'

'

65.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt covenant, maximum ratio of priority indebtedness to total assets

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_of_Long

Long-Term Debt (Schedule of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 18, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
			Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	Unsecured Notes [Member]	Unsecured Notes [Member]
			Unsecured Senior Notes at 4.26%, due on September 18, 2034 [Member]	Unsecured Senior Notes at 4.26%, due on September 18, 2034 [Member]	Unsecured Senior Notes at 4.26%, due on September 18, 2034 [Member]	Unsecured Senior Notes at 7.66% [Member]	Unsecured Senior Notes at 7.66% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'	$30,500,000	'	$0	$0	$8,000,000	$0	$5,000,000
Total long-term debt	30,500,000	13,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Less current maturities	0	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total long-term debt	$30,500,000	$13,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stated percentage rate	'	'	4.26%	4.26%	'	7.66%	7.66%	'	'
Variable rate basis description	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'three month LIBOR	'
Variable interest rate addition	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.25%	'

LongTerm_Debt_Summary_of_Aggre

Long-Term Debt (Summary of Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2015	$0	'
2016	0	'
2017	0	'
2018	0	'
2019	0	'
Thereafter	30,500,000	'
Total	$30,500,000	$13,000,000

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Federal income tax rate	34.00%	34.00%	34.00%

Income_Taxes_Details_of_Income

Income Taxes (Details of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Current income taxes:	'	'	'
Federal	$1,789,294	$1,404,450	($38,608)
State	290,458	453,347	232,270
Total current income taxes	2,079,752	1,857,797	193,662
Deferred income taxes:	'	'	'
Federal	687,417	829,080	2,269,921
State	175,464	-33,051	184,405
Total deferred income taxes	862,881	796,029	2,454,326
Amortization of investment tax credits	-3,093	-9,039	-9,039
Total income tax expense	$2,939,540	$2,644,787	$2,638,949

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense Based on Federal Statutory Rate) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	$7,647,980	$6,906,839	$6,935,694
Income tax expense computed at the federal statutory rate	2,600,313	2,348,325	2,358,136
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	307,509	277,395	275,005
Amortization of investment tax credits	-3,093	-9,039	-9,039
Other, net	34,811	28,106	14,847
Total income tax expense	$2,939,540	$2,644,787	$2,638,949

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Defer

Income Taxes (Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Allowance for uncollectibles	$26,855	$26,017
Accrued pension and postretirement medical benefits	2,077,409	1,997,001
Accrued vacation	230,842	229,669
Over-recovery of gas costs	0	389,965
Costs of gas held in storage	973,651	1,055,768
Accrued gas costs	36,305	8,999
Deferred compensation	579,451	493,088
Interest rate swap	0	754,149
Other	295,654	214,172
Total gross deferred tax assets	4,220,167	5,168,828
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Utility plant	17,057,847	16,593,351
Under-recovery of gas costs	68,643	0
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	17,126,490	16,593,351
Net deferred tax liability	$12,906,323	$11,424,523

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Narrati

Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Expected amount of accumulated other comprehensive loss recognized in net periodic benefit costs	'	$60,000	'	'
Expected amount of deferred regulatory assets to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs	'	394,000	'	'
Unrecognized transition obligation amortization period	'20 years	'	'	'
Minimum employee contribution percent	'	1.00%	'	'
Maximum employee contribution percent	'	50.00%	'	'
Company's matching contribution	'	330,241	306,382	295,584
After April 2010 [Member] | First Portion Match [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Employers percentage match of employees match percentage	'	100.00%	'	'
Percentage of employee's gross pay that is matched by the employer	'	4.00%	'	'
After April 2010 [Member] | Second Portion Match [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Employers percentage match of employees match percentage	'	50.00%	'	'
Percentage of employee's gross pay that is matched by the employer	'	2.00%	'	'
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Years until benefits are fully vested	'	'5 years	'	'
Expected employer contributions in next fiscal year	'	800,000	'	'
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Minimum service requirement for postretirement benefit vesting	'	'10 years	'	'
Retirement age requirement, postretirement plan	'	'55 years	'	'
Expected employer contributions in next fiscal year	'	$500,000	'	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul

Employee Benefit Plans (Schedule of Changes in Benefit Obligations and Fair Value of Plan Assets, Funded Status of the Plan, and Amount Recognized in the Financial Statements) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
					Pension Plan [Member]	Pension Plan [Member]	Pension Plan [Member]	Postretirement Plan [Member]	Postretirement Plan [Member]	Postretirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated benefit obligation	'	'	'	'	$20,697,734	$17,909,824	'	$14,983,169	$13,028,628	'
Change in benefit obligation:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	'	'	'	'	21,468,769	23,570,451	'	13,028,628	13,707,309	'
Service cost	'	'	'	'	553,291	634,892	521,701	168,634	213,131	195,777
Interest cost	'	'	'	'	1,020,302	946,247	953,197	602,684	531,845	592,359
Actuarial (gain) loss	'	'	'	'	2,199,697	-3,105,394	'	1,673,552	-939,539	'
Benefit payments, net of retiree contributions	'	'	'	'	-605,364	-577,427	'	-490,329	-484,118	'
Benefit obligation at end of year	'	'	'	'	24,636,695	21,468,769	23,570,451	14,983,169	13,028,628	13,707,309
Change in fair value of plan assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	'	'	'	'	18,801,262	16,063,381	'	10,114,062	8,673,128	'
Actual return on plan assets, net of taxes	'	'	'	'	1,750,033	2,215,308	'	522,516	1,075,052	'
Employer contributions	'	'	'	'	568,248	1,100,000	'	500,000	850,000	'
Benefit payments, net of retiree contributions	'	'	'	'	-605,364	-577,427	'	-490,329	-484,118	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	'	'	'	'	20,514,179	18,801,262	16,063,381	10,646,249	10,114,062	8,673,128
Funded status	'	'	'	'	-4,122,516	-2,667,507	'	-4,336,920	-2,914,566	'
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet, Noncurrent liabilities	-8,459,436	-5,582,073	'	'	-4,122,516	-2,667,507	'	-4,336,920	-2,914,566	'
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, Transition obligation, net of tax	'	'	'	'	0	0	'	0	0	'
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, Net actuarial loss, net of tax	'	'	'	'	616,352	591,195	'	522,974	327,493	'
Total amounts included in other comprehensive loss, net of tax	1,139,326	918,688	2,140,554	1,978,464	616,352	591,195	'	522,974	327,493	'
Amounts deferred to a regulatory asset, Transition obligation	'	'	'	'	0	0	'	0	0	'
Amounts deferred to a regulatory asset, Net actuarial loss	'	'	'	'	4,166,900	2,581,852	'	3,112,127	1,869,422	'
Amounts recognized as regulatory assets	'	'	'	'	$4,166,900	$2,581,852	'	$3,112,127	$1,869,422	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul1

Employee Benefit Plans (Schedule of Actuarial Assumptions Used) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.22%	4.82%	4.06%
Expected rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Assumptions used to determine benefit costs:	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.82%	4.06%	5.04%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.00%	7.25%	7.25%
Expected rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Postretirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.10%	4.73%	3.95%
Assumptions used to determine benefit costs:	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.73%	3.95%	4.96%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	4.92%	5.11%	5.11%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul2

Employee Benefit Plans (Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost	$553,291	$634,892	$521,701
Interest cost	1,020,302	946,247	953,197
Expected return on plan assets	-1,312,354	-1,184,787	-959,178
Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation	0	0	0
Recognized loss	136,394	578,263	475,414
Net periodic benefit cost	397,633	974,615	991,134
Postretirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost	168,634	213,131	195,777
Interest cost	602,684	531,845	592,359
Expected return on plan assets	-496,476	-452,383	-367,359
Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation	0	141,671	188,892
Recognized loss	89,515	241,747	239,387
Net periodic benefit cost	$364,357	$676,011	$849,056

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary

Employee Benefit Plans (Summary of Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates Used) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Pre 65 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	8.50%	9.00%	9.00%
Rate to which the cost trend is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	'2021	'2021	'2016
Post 65 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	5.00%	5.00%	6.00%
Rate to which the cost trend is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	'2014	'2013	'2013

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Effect_

Employee Benefit Plans (Effect of a 1% Change in Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumptions) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Effect on total service and interest cost components, 1% Increase	$128
Effect on total service and interest cost components, 1% Decrease	-104
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, 1% Increase	2,155
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, 1% Decease	($1,769)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul3

Employee Benefit Plans (Schedule of Target and Actual Asset Allocation) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity Securities [Member] | Pension Plan [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Target	60.00%	'
Actual	60.00%	63.00%
Equity Securities [Member] | Postretirement Plan [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Target	50.00%	'
Actual	55.00%	62.00%
Debt Securities [Member] | Pension Plan [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Target	40.00%	'
Actual	39.00%	37.00%
Debt Securities [Member] | Postretirement Plan [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Target	50.00%	'
Actual	44.00%	36.00%
Cash [Member] | Pension Plan [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Target	0.00%	'
Actual	1.00%	0.00%
Cash [Member] | Postretirement Plan [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Target	0.00%	'
Actual	1.00%	1.00%
Other [Member] | Pension Plan [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Target	0.00%	'
Actual	0.00%	0.00%
Other [Member] | Postretirement Plan [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Target	0.00%	'
Actual	0.00%	1.00%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary1

Employee Benefit Plans (Summary of Fair Value Classifications of Benefit Plan Assets ) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	$20,514,179	$18,801,262	$16,063,381
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	10,646,249	10,114,062	8,673,128
Level 1 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	182,644	66,084	'
Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	116,173	124,350	'
Level 2 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	20,331,535	18,735,178	'
Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	10,530,076	9,989,712	'
Cash [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	182,644	66,084	'
Cash [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	116,173	124,350	'
Cash [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	182,644	66,084	'
Cash [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	116,173	124,350	'
Cash [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Cash [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Fixed Income [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	1,455,153	2,043,005	'
Domestic Fixed Income [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Fixed Income [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	1,455,153	2,043,005	'
Domestic Fixed Income [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	6,289,437	4,326,814	'
Domestic Fixed Income [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	4,658,299	3,448,416	'
Domestic Fixed Income [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Fixed Income [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Fixed Income [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	6,289,437	4,326,814	'
Domestic Fixed Income [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	4,658,299	3,448,416	'
Foreign Fixed Income [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	204,747	597,799	'
Foreign Fixed Income [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	101,904	214,528	'
Foreign Fixed Income [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Foreign Fixed Income [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Foreign Fixed Income [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	204,747	597,799	'
Foreign Fixed Income [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	101,904	214,528	'
Domestic Large Cap Growth [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	2,079,566	2,769,927	'
Domestic Large Cap Growth [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Large Cap Growth [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	2,079,566	2,769,927	'
Domestic Large Cap Growth [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	2,088,528	2,115,392	'
Domestic Large Cap Growth [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	1,789,381	2,277,582	'
Domestic Large Cap Growth [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Large Cap Growth [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Large Cap Growth [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	2,088,528	2,115,392	'
Domestic Large Cap Growth [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	1,789,381	2,277,582	'
Domestic Large Cap Value [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	3,295,144	3,430,746	'
Domestic Large Cap Value [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Large Cap Value [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	3,295,144	3,430,746	'
Domestic Large Cap Value [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	1,759,740	1,671,591	'
Domestic Large Cap Value [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Large Cap Value [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	1,759,740	1,671,591	'
Domestic Small/Mid Cap Growth [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	400,898	480,438	'
Domestic Small/Mid Cap Growth [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Small/Mid Cap Growth [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	400,898	480,438	'
Domestic Small/Mid Cap Value [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	396,537	467,661	'
Domestic Small/Mid Cap Value [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Small/Mid Cap Value [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	396,537	467,661	'
Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	1,850,340	1,770,381	'
Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	1,850,340	1,770,381	'
Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	37,741	35,809	'
Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Domestic Small/Mid Cap Core [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	37,741	35,809	'
Foreign Large Cap Growth [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	'	420,153	'
Foreign Large Cap Growth [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	'	0	'
Foreign Large Cap Growth [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	'	420,153	'
Foreign Large Cap Value [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	1,641,619	'	'
Foreign Large Cap Value [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	'	'
Foreign Large Cap Value [Member] | Common and Collective Trust and Pooled Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	1,641,619	'	'
Foreign Large Cap Value [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	608,787	698,554	'
Foreign Large Cap Value [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	941,153	386,684	'
Foreign Large Cap Value [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Foreign Large Cap Value [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Foreign Large Cap Value [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	608,787	698,554	'
Foreign Large Cap Value [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	941,153	386,684	'
Foreign Large Cap Core [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	818,214	982,560	'
Foreign Large Cap Core [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	394,769	534,747	'
Foreign Large Cap Core [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Foreign Large Cap Core [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Foreign Large Cap Core [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	818,214	982,560	'
Foreign Large Cap Core [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	394,769	534,747	'
Other [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	49,654	52,103	'
Other [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	0	0	'
Other [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of benefit plan assets	$49,654	$52,103	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul4

Employee Benefit Plans (Schedule of Expected Future Benefit Payments) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
Pension Plan [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
2015	$658,958
2016	663,482
2017	697,730
2018	765,358
2019	806,282
2020-2024	5,802,914
Postretirement Plan [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
2015	700,411
2016	706,182
2017	701,764
2018	702,568
2019	718,275
2020-2024	$4,143,874

Common_Stock_Options_Narrative

Common Stock Options (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of shares available for future grant	66,000	'	'
Award vesting period	'6 months	'	'
Award expiration period	'10 years	'	'
Weighted average grant-date fair value, options granted (in usd per share)	$4.43	$4.04	'
Intrinsic value of options exercised	'	'	$91,721
Stock option expense	75,310	84,840	0
Amount received for exercise of options	$0	$0	$99,550

Common_Stock_Options_Fair_Valu

Common Stock Options (Fair Value Assumptions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'
Expected volatility	35.01%	34.75%
Expected dividends	4.21%	4.32%
Expected exercise term (years)	'7 years	'7 years
Risk-free interest rate	2.23%	1.23%

Common_Stock_Options_Schedule_

Common Stock Options (Schedule of Aggregate Share Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Number of Shares	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	21,000	0	11,000	'
Options granted (in shares)	17,000	21,000	0	'
Options exercised (in shares)	0	0	-11,000	'
Options expired (in shares)	0	0	0	'
Options forfeited (in shares)	0	0	0	'
Options outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	38,000	21,000	0	11,000
Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2014 (in shares)	38,000	'	'	'
Weighted- Average Exercise Price	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding, beginning balance (in usd per share)	$19.01	$0	$9.05	'
Options granted (in usd per share)	$18.95	$19.01	$0	'
Options exercised (in usd per share)	$0	$0	$9.05	'
Options expired (in usd per share)	$0	$0	$0	'
Options forfeited (in usd per share)	$0	$0	$0	'
Options outstanding, ending balance (in usd per share)	$18.98	$19.01	$0	$9.05
Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2014 (in usd per share)	$18.98	'	'	'
Options, Additional Disclosures	'	'	'	'
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Terms (years)	'8 years 9 months	'9 years 6 months	'0 years	'1 year 2 months 12 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2014	'8 years 9 months	'	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$34,840	$5,229	$0	$105,600
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2014	$34,840	'	'	'

Other_Stock_Plans_Narrative_De

Other Stock Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares available for issuance	66,000	'	'
Dividend Reinvestment And Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maximum amount shareholders can partake in the DRIP plan	$40,000	'	'
Number of shares issued under the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan	7	24,905	25,077
Shares of stock available for issuance under the DRIP Plan	366,808	'	'
Restricted Stock Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of monthly retainer fee paid in shares of common stock	40.00%	'	'
Value of shares issued under the plan	73,200	95,667	97,133
Stock vested during the period, fair market value	0	0	161,338
Shares available for issuance	78,318	'	'
Stock Bonus Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Value of shares issued under the plan	$78,841	72,580	30,763
Shares available for issuance	10,905	'	'
Percentage of officers' annually salary expected to be held in company stock	50.00%	'	'
Minimum percentage of performance bonus in stock	50.00%	'	'
Shares issued under the plan	4,098	4,022	1,640
Minimum [Member] | Stock Bonus Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of officers' annually salary expected to be held in company stock	50.00%	'	'

Other_Stock_Plans_Director_Com

Other Stock Plans (Director Compensation Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock Plan [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Shares	'	'	'
Beginning of year balance (in shares)	59,064	54,011	61,955
Granted (in shares)	3,780	5,053	5,327
Vested (in shares)	0	0	-13,271
Forfeited (in shares)	0	0	0
End of year balance (in shares)	62,844	59,064	54,011
Weighted-Average Fair Value on Date of Grant	'	'	'
Beginning of year balance (in usd per share)	$13.97	$13.51	$12.81
Granted (in usd per share)	$19.37	$18.93	$18.23
Vested (in usd per share)	$0	$0	$12.16
Forfeited (in usd per share)	$0	$0	$0
End of year balance (in usd per share)	$14.29	$13.97	$13.51

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Expenditures under asset management agreement	$44,884	$35,348	$26,794

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Volumetric Obligations) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014
	MMBTU
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014-2015	2,071,061
2015-2016	2,071,061
2016-2017	295,866
Total	4,437,988

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Financial Obligations) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014-2015	$11,383,418
2015-2016	11,359,785
2016-2017	9,971,107
2017-2018	7,764,268
2018-2019	6,139,313
Thereafter	2,411,198
Total	$49,029,089

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis and Fair Value Measurement Inputs [Line Items]	'	'
Natural gas purchases	$795,019	$1,177,521
Interest rate swaps	'	1,986,695
Total	795,019	3,164,216
Quoted Prices In Active Markets Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis and Fair Value Measurement Inputs [Line Items]	'	'
Natural gas purchases	0	0
Interest rate swaps	'	0
Total	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis and Fair Value Measurement Inputs [Line Items]	'	'
Natural gas purchases	795,019	1,177,521
Interest rate swaps	'	1,986,695
Total	795,019	3,164,216
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis and Fair Value Measurement Inputs [Line Items]	'	'
Natural gas purchases	0	0
Interest rate swaps	'	0
Total	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar

Fair Value Measurements (Summary of the Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Adjusted to Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Note payable	'	$15,000,000
Long-term debt	30,500,000	13,000,000
Total	30,500,000	28,000,000
Quoted Prices In Active Markets Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Note payable	'	0
Long-term debt	0	0
Total	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Note payable	'	0
Long-term debt	0	0
Total	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Note payable	'	14,976,818
Long-term debt	30,622,664	13,762,952
Total	$30,622,664	$28,739,770

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio2

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	$10,280,158	$12,024,817	$32,699,965	$20,011,194	$9,246,128	$11,037,308	$24,175,638	$18,746,592	$75,016,134	$63,205,666	$58,799,687
Gross margin	5,251,421	5,721,551	10,161,125	8,202,992	4,851,654	5,229,027	9,585,727	7,936,483	29,337,089	27,602,891	26,933,097
Operating income	347,509	940,691	5,121,022	3,272,646	385,795	645,821	4,813,348	2,950,091	9,681,868	8,795,055	8,786,535
Net income (loss)	($144,337)	$283,194	$2,846,795	$1,722,788	($100,911)	$110,103	$2,698,707	$1,554,153	$4,708,440	$4,262,052	$4,296,745
Earnings per share of common stock:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in usd per share)	($0.03)	$0.06	$0.60	$0.37	($0.02)	$0.02	$0.57	$0.33	$1	$0.91	$0.92
Diluted (in usd per share)	($0.03)	$0.06	$0.60	$0.37	($0.02)	$0.02	$0.57	$0.33	$1	$0.91	$0.92