CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Utility plant, at cost	$ 2,846,982	$ 2,800,052
Construction work in progress	401,393	379,846
Nonutility plant and equipment, at cost	1,117,839	1,108,512
Construction work in progress	204,152	176,556
Total property, plant and equipment	4,570,366	4,464,966
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, utility plant	(603,385)	(601,635)
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, nonutility plant and equipment	(148,666)	(140,562)
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,818,315	3,722,769
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	22,358	117,012
Customer accounts receivable
Billed	197,641	134,173
Unbilled revenues	53,794	9,226
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(11,105)	(7,242)
Regulatory assets	39,342	36,530
Natural gas in storage, at average cost	163,169	167,504
Materials and supplies, at average cost	18,949	20,406
Prepaid expenses	11,684	6,639
Prepaid and accrued taxes	12,858	24,301
Derivatives, at fair value	33,087	23,310
Restricted broker margin accounts	48,105	69,444
Other	19,322	21,029
Total current assets	609,204	622,332
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Investments in equity method investees	211,581	208,375
Regulatory assets	521,337	527,459
Operating lease assets	138,633	131,769
Derivatives, at fair value	1,547	3,349
Intangible assets, net	9,397	10,060
Software costs	5,498	4,707
Other noncurrent assets	81,393	85,657
Total noncurrent assets	969,386	971,376
Total assets	5,396,905	5,316,477
CAPITALIZATION
Common stock, $2.50 par value; authorized 150,000,000 shares; outstanding December 31, 2020 — 96,139,436; September 30, 2020 — 95,949,183	240,367	240,243
Premium on common stock	492,890	491,982
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(43,272)	(44,315)
Treasury stock at cost and other; shares December 31, 2020 — 7,623; September 30, 2020 — 148,310	11,649	8,485
Retained earnings	996,580	947,501
Common stock equity	1,698,214	1,643,896
Long-term debt	2,264,972	2,259,466
Total capitalization	3,963,186	3,903,362
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	26,864	27,236
Short-term debt	134,350	125,350
Natural gas purchases payable	120,091	95,945
Natural gas purchases payable to related parties	865	791
Accounts payable and other	110,456	141,500
Dividends payable	31,966	31,902
Accrued taxes	1,842	2,717
Regulatory liabilities	16,941	26,188
New Jersey Clean Energy Program	13,508	15,570
Derivatives, at fair value	24,444	33,865
Operating lease liabilities	4,397	6,724
Customers' credit balances and deposits	32,948	25,934
Total current liabilities	518,672	533,722
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes	166,128	138,081
Deferred investment tax credits	3,251	3,332
Deferred gain	987	1,035
Derivatives, at fair value	14,933	13,352
Manufactured gas plant remediation	148,000	150,590
Postemployment employee benefit liability	235,845	237,221
Regulatory liabilities	195,282	196,450
Operating lease liabilities	104,970	95,030
Asset retirement obligation	33,906	33,723
Other	11,745	10,579
Total noncurrent liabilities	915,047	879,393
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)
Total capitalization and liabilities	$ 5,396,905	$ 5,316,477