CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2023	Sep. 30, 2023
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Utility plant, at cost	$ 3,927,578	$ 3,843,037
Construction work in progress	230,603	237,428
Nonutility plant and equipment, at cost	1,784,035	1,767,306
Construction work in progress	153,541	142,768
Total property, plant and equipment	6,095,757	5,990,539
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, utility plant	(732,326)	(714,087)
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, nonutility plant and equipment	(266,896)	(254,397)
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,096,535	5,022,055
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	2,739	954
Customer accounts receivable
Billed	170,472	97,540
Unbilled revenues	91,931	19,100
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(8,847)	(11,036)
Regulatory assets	76,728	73,587
Natural gas in storage, at average cost	193,742	199,501
Materials and supplies, at average cost	30,833	27,022
Prepaid expenses	15,535	9,741
Prepaid and accrued taxes	22,860	43,046
Derivatives, at fair value	37,771	30,755
Restricted broker margin accounts	19,331	20,796
Other current assets	23,863	21,071
Total current assets	676,958	532,077
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Investments in equity method investees	103,268	104,134
Regulatory assets	581,907	584,830
Operating lease assets	175,864	175,740
Derivatives, at fair value	1,178	1,564
Software costs	9,105	8,375
Deferred income taxes	22,903	28,383
Postemployment employee benefit assets	18,651	18,684
Other noncurrent assets	62,679	61,654
Total noncurrent assets	975,555	983,364
Total assets	6,749,048	6,537,496
CAPITALIZATION
Common stock, $2.50 par value; authorized 150,000,000 shares; outstanding shares December 31, 2023 — 98,202,255; September 30, 2023 — 97,584,455	245,009	243,458
Premium on common stock	582,551	558,654
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(9,564)	(9,959)
Treasury stock at cost and other; shares December 31, 2023 — 15,710; September 30, 2023 — 13,041	22,136	20,748
Retained earnings	1,226,069	1,177,834
Common stock equity	2,066,201	1,990,735
Long-term debt	2,738,997	2,768,017
Total capitalization	4,805,198	4,758,752
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	219,627	116,155
Short-term debt	268,650	252,100
Natural gas purchases payable	76,178	51,277
Natural gas purchases payable to related parties	857	859
Deferred revenue	118,519	61,404
Accounts payable and other	105,627	151,790
Dividends payable	41,175	40,981
Accrued taxes	10,799	10,090
Regulatory liabilities	30,344	32,287
New Jersey Clean Energy Program	14,382	15,804
Derivatives, at fair value	13,196	16,145
Operating lease liabilities	4,798	4,772
Restricted broker margin accounts	12,419	8,029
Customers' credit balances and deposits	45,461	44,910
Total current liabilities	962,032	806,603
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes	299,454	285,427
Deferred investment tax credits	2,365	2,434
Deferred revenue	635	659
Derivatives, at fair value	7,464	7,967
Manufactured gas plant remediation	165,315	169,390
Postemployment employee benefit liability	102,482	102,528
Regulatory liabilities	179,638	180,458
Operating lease liabilities	148,849	148,023
Asset retirement obligation	62,435	61,993
Other noncurrent liabilities	13,181	13,262
Total noncurrent liabilities	981,818	972,141
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)
Total capitalization and liabilities	6,749,048	6,537,496
Related Party
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Natural gas purchases payable to related parties	$ 857	$ 859