INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES NJR evaluates its tax positions to determine the appropriate accounting and recognition of potential future obligations associated with uncertain tax positions. During the nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, based on its analysis, the Company determined there was no need to recognize any liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. To calculate the estimated annual effective tax rate, NJR considers forecasted pre-tax book income and estimated permanent book versus tax differences, as well as tax credits associated with solar and wind projects. For investment tax credits the estimate is based on solar projects that are probable of being completed and placed in service during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. For production tax credits the estimate is based on the forecast of electricity produced during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. Adjustments to the effective tax rate and management's estimates will occur as information and assumptions change. The forecasted effective tax rates for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, were 10.3 percent and 24.3 percent, respectively. The decreased effective tax rate is due primarily to a decrease in forecasted pre-tax income along with an increase in forecasted tax credits for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, compared with the prior fiscal year. Forecasted tax credits, net of deferred taxes, were $27.7 million and $24.9 million for fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. To the extent there are discrete tax items that are not included in the forecasted effective tax rate, the actual effective tax rate will differ from the estimated annual effective tax rate. Effective October 1, 2015, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09, an amendment to ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, see Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. As a result of the adoption, the Company has recognized $1.7 million in excess tax benefits associated with the vesting of share-based awards as a component of income tax (benefit) provision in its Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Since the tax effects of the awards are treated as a discrete item NJR’s actual effective tax rate, as of June 30, 2016, is 8.9 percent. As of June 30, 2016, the Company has total state income tax net operating losses of approximately $224.2 million, which generally have a life of 20 years. The Company has recorded a deferred state tax asset of approximately $13.1 million on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, reflecting the tax benefit associated with the loss carryforwards. In addition, as of June 30, 2016, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $267,000 because it believes that it is more likely than not that the state net operating losses related to CR&R will expire unused. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had total state income tax net operating losses of approximately $218.1 million, a deferred state tax asset of approximately $12.8 million and a valuation allowance of $176,000. In addition, as of September 30, 2015, the Company had an ITC carryforward of approximately $22.1 million, all of which were generated in fiscal year 2015, and has a life of 20 years. The Company expects to utilize this entire carryforward. In December 2015, the Consolidated Appropriations Act extended the 30 percent ITC for solar property that is under construction on or before December 31, 2019. The credit will decline to 26 percent for property under construction as of and during 2020 and to 22 percent for property under construction as of and during 2021. For any property that is under construction before 2022, but not placed in service before 2024 the ITC will be reduced to 10 percent. In addition, the Consolidated Appropriations Act retroactively extended the PTC for five years through December 31, 2019, with a gradual three year phase out for any project for which construction of the facility begins after December 31, 2016.

INCOME TAXES

NJR evaluates its tax positions to determine the appropriate accounting and recognition of potential future obligations associated with uncertain tax positions. During the nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, based on its analysis, the Company determined there was no need to recognize any liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions.

To calculate the estimated annual effective tax rate, NJR considers forecasted pre-tax book income and estimated permanent book versus tax differences, as well as tax credits associated with solar and wind projects. For investment tax credits the estimate is based on solar projects that are probable of being completed and placed in service during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. For production tax credits the estimate is based on the forecast of electricity produced during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. Adjustments to the effective tax rate and management's estimates will occur as information and assumptions change.

The forecasted effective tax rates for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, were 10.3 percent and 24.3 percent, respectively. The decreased effective tax rate is due primarily to a decrease in forecasted pre-tax income along with an increase in forecasted tax credits for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, compared with the prior fiscal year. Forecasted tax credits, net of deferred taxes, were $27.7 million and $24.9 million for fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively.

To the extent there are discrete tax items that are not included in the forecasted effective tax rate, the actual effective tax rate will differ from the estimated annual effective tax rate. Effective October 1, 2015, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09, an amendment to ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, see Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. As a result of the adoption, the Company has recognized $1.7 million in excess tax benefits associated with the vesting of share-based awards as a component of income tax (benefit) provision in its Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Since the tax effects of the awards are treated as a discrete item NJR’s actual effective tax rate, as of June 30, 2016, is 8.9 percent.

As of June 30, 2016, the Company has total state income tax net operating losses of approximately $224.2 million, which generally have a life of 20 years. The Company has recorded a deferred state tax asset of approximately $13.1 million on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, reflecting the tax benefit associated with the loss carryforwards. In addition, as of June 30, 2016, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $267,000 because it believes that it is more likely than not that the state net operating losses related to CR&R will expire unused. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had total state income tax net operating losses of approximately $218.1 million, a deferred state tax asset of approximately $12.8 million and a valuation allowance of $176,000.

In addition, as of September 30, 2015, the Company had an ITC carryforward of approximately $22.1 million, all of which were generated in fiscal year 2015, and has a life of 20 years. The Company expects to utilize this entire carryforward.

In December 2015, the Consolidated Appropriations Act extended the 30 percent ITC for solar property that is under construction on or before December 31, 2019. The credit will decline to 26 percent for property under construction as of and during 2020 and to 22 percent for property under construction as of and during 2021. For any property that is under construction before 2022, but not placed in service before 2024 the ITC will be reduced to 10 percent. In addition, the Consolidated Appropriations Act retroactively extended the PTC for five years through December 31, 2019, with a gradual three year phase out for any project for which construction of the facility begins after December 31, 2016.