CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Utility plant, at cost	$ 1,634,936	$ 1,595,278
Real estate properties, solar and other, at cost	179,402	110,886
Total property, plant and equipment	1,814,338	1,706,164
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(417,563)	(410,237)
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,396,775	1,295,927
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	7,802	7,440
Customer accounts receivable
Billed	179,006	209,266
Unbilled revenues	16,428	7,333
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(4,806)	(4,612)
Regulatory assets	80,920	17,630
Gas in storage, at average cost	175,209	294,475
Materials and supplies, at average cost	7,741	7,395
Prepaid and Accrued taxes	23,803	54,311
Derivatives, at fair value	103,506	100,338
Restricted broker margin accounts	66,515	22,595
Deferred taxes	0	1,498
Other	18,552	14,698
Total current assets	674,676	732,367
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Investments in equity investees	157,049	159,063
Regulatory assets	410,901	434,185
Derivatives, at fair value	3,333	6,515
Other	27,005	21,387
Total noncurrent assets	598,288	621,150
Total assets	2,669,739	2,649,444
CAPITALIZATION
Common stock equity	862,242	776,257
Long-term debt	429,450	426,797
Total capitalization	1,291,692	1,203,054
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	8,117	7,575
Short-term debt	191,300	159,350
Gas purchases payable	171,750	252,691
Accounts payable and other	63,268	65,960
Dividends payable	15,780	14,912
Deferred and accrued taxes	17,295	778
Regulatory liabilities	0	4,633
New Jersey clean energy program	13,522	15,011
Derivatives, at fair value	92,028	68,698
Restricted broker margin accounts	29,671	0
Customers' credit balances and deposits	31,455	113,776
Total current liabilities	634,186	703,384
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes	353,237	327,782
Deferred investment tax credits	6,066	6,227
Deferred revenue	5,966	7,633
Derivatives, at fair value	3,751	6,341
Manufactured gas plant remediation	182,900	182,900
Postemployment employee benefit liability	95,176	114,305
Regulatory liabilities	63,391	59,837
New Jersey clean energy program	0	5,133
Asset retirement obligation	27,537	27,026
Other	5,837	5,822
Total noncurrent liabilities	743,861	743,006
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 11)
Total capitalization and liabilities	$ 2,669,739	$ 2,649,444