CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Utility plant, at cost	$ 1,701,521	$ 1,681,585
Construction work in progress	126,721	114,961
Solar equipment, real estate properties and other, at cost	261,345	249,516
Construction work in progress	24,897	9,093
Total property, plant and equipment	2,114,484	2,055,155
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, utility plant	(390,680)	(383,895)
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, solar equipment, real estate properties and other	(30,874)	(28,144)
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,692,930	1,643,116
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	10,049	2,969
Customer accounts receivable
Billed	371,164	240,281
Unbilled revenues	56,718	7,429
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(5,432)	(5,330)
Regulatory assets	27,889	34,372
Gas in storage, at average cost	283,356	314,477
Materials and supplies, at average cost	13,177	14,334
Prepaid and accrued taxes	12,060	42,645
Asset held for sale	0	5,428
Derivatives, at fair value	34,843	53,327
Restricted broker margin accounts	59,313	6,581
Deferred taxes	12,785	8,432
Other	22,399	20,953
Total current assets	898,321	745,898
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Investments in equity investees	160,437	161,591
Prepaid pension asset	6,207	6,287
Regulatory assets	391,009	402,202
Derivatives, at fair value	1,931	2,761
Other	45,983	42,928
Total noncurrent assets	605,567	615,769
Total assets	3,196,818	3,004,783
CAPITALIZATION
Common stock, $2.50 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares; outstanding December 31, 2013-42,058,818; September 30, 2013-41,961,534	112,640	112,563
Premium on common stock	301,740	300,196
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net of tax	(1,804)	(1,621)
Treasury stock at cost and other; shares December 31, 2013-2,993,764; September 30, 2013-3,060,356	(125,584)	(128,638)
Retained earnings	594,928	604,884
Common stock equity	881,920	887,384
Long-term debt	518,049	512,886
Total capitalization	1,399,969	1,400,270
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	69,527	68,643
Short-term debt	503,600	365,600
Gas purchases payable	268,616	254,813
Accounts payable and other	51,220	60,342
Dividends payable	17,649	17,624
Deferred and accrued taxes	4,314	4,040
Regulatory liabilities	12,567	1,456
New Jersey clean energy program	12,809	14,532
Derivatives, at fair value	77,852	40,390
Restricted broker margin accounts	5,987	0
Customers' credit balances and deposits	28,381	24,393
Total current liabilities	1,052,522	851,833
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes	362,426	372,773
Deferred investment tax credits	5,503	5,584
Deferred revenue	4,583	4,763
Derivatives, at fair value	6,130	2,458
Manufactured gas plant remediation	183,600	183,600
Postemployment employee benefit liability	67,904	67,897
Regulatory liabilities	77,390	79,647
Asset retirement obligation	29,157	28,711
Other	7,634	7,247
Total noncurrent liabilities	744,327	752,680
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 12)
Total capitalization and liabilities	$ 3,196,818	$ 3,004,783