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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by NJR in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and ASC 270. The September 30, 2013, Balance Sheet data is derived from the audited financial statements of the Company. These Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in NJR's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of NJR and its subsidiaries. In the opinion of management, the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments necessary, for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods presented. These adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. Because of the seasonal nature of NJR's utility and wholesale energy services operations, in addition to other factors, the financial results for the interim periods presented are not indicative of the results that are to be expected for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.

Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

Gas in Storage

The following table summarizes gas in storage, at average cost by company as of:
 
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
($ in thousands)
Gas in Storage
 
Bcf
Gas in Storage
 
Bcf
NJNG
 
$
80,789

15.7

 
$
104,979

20.4

NJRES
 
202,567

56.0

 
209,498

62.3

Total
 
$
283,356

71.7

 
$
314,477

82.7



Available for Sale Securities

Included in other noncurrent assets on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are certain investments in equity securities of a publicly traded energy company that have a fair value of $11.2 million and $11.7 million as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Total unrealized gains associated with these equity securities, which are included as a part of accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of common stock equity, were $8.6 million ($5.1 million, after tax) and $9.1 million ($5.4 million, after tax) as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Reclassifications of realized gains out of other comprehensive income into income are determined based on average cost.

Sale of Asset

On October 22, 2013, CR&R sold approximately 25.4 acres of undeveloped land located in Monmouth County with a net book value of $5.4 million for $6 million, generating a pre-tax gain after closing costs of $313,000, which was recognized in other income on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Loan Receivable

NJNG provides interest-free loans, with terms ranging from two to ten years, to customers that elect to purchase and install certain energy efficient equipment in accordance with its BPU-approved SAVEGREEN program. The loans are recognized at net present value on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has recorded $2.5 million and $1.9 million in other current assets and $18.9 million and $14.3 million in other noncurrent assets as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NJR's policy is to establish an allowance for doubtful accounts when loan balances are outstanding for more than 60 days. As of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, there was no allowance for doubtful accounts established.

Recent Updates to the Accounting Standards Codification

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, an amendment to ASC Topic 210, Balance Sheet, requiring additional disclosures about the effect of an entity's rights of setoff and related master netting arrangements to its financial statements. ASU 2013-01, issued in January 2013, further clarified that the amended guidance was applicable to certain financial and derivative instruments. The Company applied the provisions of the amended guidance retrospectively effective October 1, 2013. The guidance did not impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows, however, it required additional disclosures that are included in Note 4. Derivative Instruments.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, an amendment to ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, which clarifies financial statement presentation for unrecognized tax benefits. The ASU requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion thereof, shall be presented in the balance sheet as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent such a deferred tax asset is not available or the company does not intend to use it to settle any additional taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, the related unrecognized tax benefit will be presented as a liability in the financial statements. The amended guidance will become effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits, however, it will apply the provisions of the new guidance, as applicable at the effective date, on a prospective basis.