CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Utility plant, at cost	$ 1,774,424	$ 1,681,585
Construction work in progress	119,012	114,961
Solar and wind equipment, real estate properties and other, at cost	321,591	249,516
Construction work in progress	41,123	9,093
Total property, plant and equipment	2,256,150	2,055,155
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, utility plant	(401,713)	(383,895)
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, solar and wind equipment, real estate properties and other	(36,738)	(28,144)
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,817,699	1,643,116
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	3,320	2,969
Customer accounts receivable
Billed	276,409	240,281
Unbilled revenues	7,464	7,429
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(5,603)	(5,330)
Regulatory assets	28,064	34,372
Gas in storage, at average cost	219,859	314,477
Materials and supplies, at average cost	8,931	14,334
Prepaid and accrued taxes	24,607	42,645
Derivatives, at fair value	52,619	53,327
Restricted broker margin accounts	27,904	6,581
Deferred taxes	21,983	8,432
Asset held for sale	0	5,428
Other	29,898	20,953
Total current assets	695,455	745,898
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Investments in equity investees	160,403	161,591
Prepaid pension asset	6,045	6,287
Regulatory assets	369,517	402,202
Derivatives, at fair value	2,830	2,761
Other	53,958	42,928
Total noncurrent assets	592,753	615,769
Total assets	3,105,907	3,004,783
CAPITALIZATION
Common stock, $2.50 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares; outstanding June 30, 2014-42,167,558; September 30, 2013-41,961,534	112,777	112,563
Premium on common stock	304,731	300,196
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net of tax	(946)	(1,621)
Treasury stock at cost and other; shares June 30, 2014-2,943,373; September 30, 2013-3,060,356	(121,727)	(128,638)
Retained earnings	718,250	604,884
Common stock equity	1,013,085	887,384
Long-term debt	626,796	512,886
Total capitalization	1,639,881	1,400,270
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	9,455	68,643
Short-term debt	174,500	365,600
Gas purchases payable	258,180	254,813
Accounts payable and other	82,329	60,342
Dividends payable	17,709	17,624
Deferred and accrued taxes	12,330	4,040
Regulatory liabilities	11,710	1,456
New Jersey clean energy program	15,429	14,532
Derivatives, at fair value	78,549	40,390
Broker margin accounts	2,278	0
Customers' credit balances and deposits	19,655	24,393
Total current liabilities	682,124	851,833
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes	410,130	372,773
Deferred investment tax credits	5,342	5,584
Deferred revenue	4,222	4,763
Derivatives, at fair value	5,517	2,458
Manufactured gas plant remediation	183,600	183,600
Postemployment employee benefit liability	68,697	67,897
Regulatory liabilities	69,120	79,647
Asset retirement obligation	29,935	28,711
Other	7,339	7,247
Total noncurrent liabilities	783,902	752,680
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 12)
Total capitalization and liabilities	$ 3,105,907	$ 3,004,783