CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Utility plant, at cost	$ 3,742,373	$ 3,576,691
Construction work in progress	235,998	162,087
Nonutility plant and equipment, at cost	1,745,135	1,577,259
Construction work in progress	126,923	199,679
Total property, plant and equipment	5,850,429	5,515,716
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, utility plant	(715,273)	(659,737)
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, nonutility plant and equipment	(242,346)	(206,053)
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,892,810	4,649,926
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	511	1,107
Customer accounts receivable
Billed	110,463	222,297
Unbilled revenues	16,492	13,769
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(12,504)	(19,379)
Regulatory assets	95,747	40,086
Natural gas in storage, at average cost	155,077	273,644
Materials and supplies, at average cost	30,784	20,324
Prepaid expenses	11,026	8,572
Prepaid and accrued taxes	36,165	54,501
Derivatives, at fair value	32,127	24,635
Restricted broker margin accounts	20,237	94,261
Other current assets	24,235	22,270
Total current assets	520,360	756,087
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Investments in equity method investees	104,427	106,571
Regulatory assets	528,114	500,666
Operating lease assets	164,119	168,520
Derivatives, at fair value	1,864	6,385
Intangible assets, net	567	2,348
Software costs	7,625	6,120
Deferred income taxes	25,539	2,928
Other noncurrent assets	67,155	61,865
Total noncurrent assets	899,410	855,403
Total assets	6,312,580	6,261,416
CAPITALIZATION
Common stock, $2.50 par value; authorized 150,000,000 shares; outstanding shares June 30, 2023 — 97,496,302; September 30, 2022 — 96,249,859	243,237	241,616
Premium on common stock	554,730	519,697
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(3,913)	(4,826)
Treasury stock at cost and other; shares June 30, 2023 — 13,041; September 30, 2022 — 611,045	19,398	(6,805)
Retained earnings	1,181,790	1,067,528
Common stock equity	1,995,242	1,817,210
Long-term debt	2,728,669	2,485,402
Total capitalization	4,723,911	4,302,612
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	162,316	75,069
Short-term debt	145,225	423,950
Natural gas purchases payable	46,432	235,049
Natural gas purchases payable to related parties	856	851
Deferred revenue	42,465	35,547
Accounts payable and other	122,236	156,580
Dividends payable	37,981	37,534
Accrued taxes	11,478	5,130
Regulatory liabilities	27,701	31,090
New Jersey Clean Energy Program	17,943	15,697
Derivatives, at fair value	17,563	49,848
Operating lease liabilities	5,273	4,562
Restricted broker margin accounts	1,218	0
Customers' credit balances and deposits	30,267	33,246
Total current liabilities	668,954	1,104,153
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes	275,238	238,928
Deferred investment tax credits	2,504	2,710
Deferred revenue	30,872	753
Derivatives, at fair value	13,257	14,191
Manufactured gas plant remediation	123,070	127,060
Postemployment employee benefit liability	88,844	82,867
Regulatory liabilities	181,814	185,634
Operating lease liabilities	135,916	138,382
Asset retirement obligation	56,992	55,035
Other noncurrent liabilities	11,208	9,091
Total noncurrent liabilities	919,715	854,651
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)
Total capitalization and liabilities	6,312,580	6,261,416
Related Party
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Natural gas purchases payable to related parties	$ 856	$ 851