CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Utility plant, at cost	$ 3,512,796	$ 3,324,611
Construction work in progress	152,894	182,196
Nonutility plant and equipment, at cost	1,271,786	1,124,896
Construction work in progress	447,964	365,346
Total property, plant and equipment	5,385,440	4,997,049
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, utility plant	(648,817)	(611,827)
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, nonutility plant and equipment	(196,002)	(171,709)
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,540,621	4,213,513
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	27,693	4,749
Customer accounts receivable
Billed	268,043	212,838
Unbilled revenues	15,032	10,351
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(22,612)	(24,652)
Regulatory assets	42,320	30,118
Natural gas in storage, at average cost	203,438	193,606
Materials and supplies, at average cost	22,401	19,561
Prepaid expenses	9,385	8,166
Prepaid and accrued taxes	36,076	51,211
Derivatives, at fair value	20,278	35,251
Restricted broker margin accounts	96,085	72,840
Other current assets	21,943	20,235
Total current assets	740,082	634,274
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Investments in equity method investees	108,253	114,529
Regulatory assets	529,556	522,099
Operating lease assets	169,884	173,928
Derivatives, at fair value	6,472	3,403
Intangible assets, net	2,893	5,029
Software costs	5,909	5,582
Other noncurrent assets	58,251	49,921
Total noncurrent assets	881,218	874,491
Total assets	6,161,921	5,722,278
CAPITALIZATION
Common stock, $2.50 par value; authorized 150,000,000 shares; outstanding June 30, 2022 — 96,160,232; September 30, 2021 — 95,709,662	241,596	240,644
Premium on common stock	518,606	502,584
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(31,437)	(34,528)
Treasury stock at cost and other; shares June 30, 2022 — 692,472; September 30, 2021 — 762,313	(10,620)	(12,448)
Retained earnings	1,050,538	934,610
Common stock equity	1,768,683	1,630,862
Long-term debt	2,524,565	2,162,164
Total capitalization	4,293,248	3,793,026
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	24,708	72,840
Short-term debt	370,350	377,300
Natural gas purchases payable	202,059	168,697
Natural gas purchases payable to related parties	855	861
Deferred revenue	46,049	1,745
Accounts payable and other	129,431	223,497
Dividends payable	34,858	34,768
Accrued taxes	6,991	3,356
Regulatory liabilities	50,574	28,007
New Jersey Clean Energy Program	17,648	16,308
Derivatives, at fair value	58,802	87,145
Operating lease liabilities	4,893	4,300
Customers' credit balances and deposits	22,216	32,586
Total current liabilities	969,434	1,051,410
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes	202,146	163,530
Deferred investment tax credits	2,780	3,010
Deferred revenue	776	847
Derivatives, at fair value	21,369	13,497
Manufactured gas plant remediation	120,587	135,012
Postemployment employee benefit liability	166,633	169,267
Regulatory liabilities	189,876	193,051
Operating lease liabilities	139,289	141,363
Asset retirement obligation	46,972	46,306
Other noncurrent liabilities	8,811	11,959
Total noncurrent liabilities	899,239	877,842
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)
Total capitalization and liabilities	$ 6,161,921	$ 5,722,278