CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Utility plant, at cost	$ 1,681,585	$ 1,591,532
Utility plant, at cost, Construction work in progress	114,961	102,420
Solar equipment, real estate properties and other, at cost	249,516	192,026
Solar equipment, real estate properties and other, at cost, Construction work in progress	9,093	20,558
Total property, plant and equipment	2,055,155	1,906,536
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, utility plant	(383,895)	(402,308)
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, solar equipment, real estate properties and other	(28,144)	(19,351)
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,643,116	1,484,877
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	2,969	4,509
Customer accounts receivable
Billed	240,281	170,543
Unbilled revenues	7,429	7,017
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(5,330)	(4,797)
Regulatory assets	34,372	32,734
Gas in storage, at average cost	314,477	265,193
Materials and supplies, at average cost	14,334	7,863
Prepaid and accrued taxes	42,645	32,029
Asset held for sale	5,428	0
Derivatives, at fair value	53,327	48,021
Restricted broker margin accounts	6,581	21,929
Deferred taxes	8,432	29,074
Other current assets	20,953	33,229
Total current assets	745,898	647,344
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Investments in equity investees	161,591	164,595
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets for Plan Benefits, Noncurrent	6,287	0
Regulatory assets	402,202	441,263
Derivatives, at fair value	2,761	2,328
Other noncurrent assets	42,928	29,598
Total noncurrent assets	615,769	637,784
Total assets	3,004,783	2,770,005
CAPITALIZATION
Common stock, $2.50 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares; outstanding 2013-41,961,534; 2012-41,619,633	112,563	110,956
Premium on common stock	300,196	272,566
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net of tax	(1,621)	(10,771)
Treasury stock at cost and other; shares 2013-3,060,356; 2012-2,763,659	(128,638)	(116,551)
Retained earnings	604,884	557,665
Common stock equity	887,384	813,865
Long-term debt	512,886	525,169
Total capitalization	1,400,270	1,339,034
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	68,643	7,760
Short-term debt	365,600	279,800
Gas purchases payable	254,813	182,414
Accounts payable and other	60,342	66,765
Dividends payable	17,624	16,648
Deferred and accrued taxes	4,040	2,072
Regulatory liabilities	1,456	1,169
New Jersey clean energy program	14,532	5,619
Derivatives, at fair value	40,390	42,440
Customers' credit balances and deposits	24,393	48,452
Total current liabilities	851,833	653,139
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes	372,773	355,306
Deferred investment tax credits	5,584	5,905
Deferred revenue	4,763	5,502
Derivatives, at fair value	2,458	3,133
Manufactured gas plant remediation	183,600	182,000
Postemployment employee benefit liability	67,897	124,196
Regulatory liabilities	79,647	67,077
Asset retirement obligation	28,711	27,983
Other noncurrent liabilities	7,247	6,730
Total noncurrent liabilities	752,680	777,832
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)
Total capitalization and liabilities	$ 3,004,783	$ 2,770,005