CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Regulated operations plant:
Gas plant	$ 10,253,377	$ 10,140,362
Less: accumulated depreciation	(2,863,941)	(2,822,669)
Construction work in progress	245,032	200,549
Net regulated operations plant	7,634,468	7,518,242
Other property and investments, net	1,252,861	1,266,340
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	457,952	106,536
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	843,133	886,549
Accrued utility revenue	58,500	93,000
Income taxes receivable, net	7,174	1,935
Deferred purchased gas costs	198,682	552,885
Prepaid and other current assets	214,516	218,832
Current assets held for sale	0	21,377
Total current assets	1,779,957	1,881,114
Noncurrent assets:
Goodwill	787,206	789,729
Deferred income taxes	1,309	463
Deferred charges and other assets	432,193	414,008
Total noncurrent assets	1,220,708	1,204,200
Total assets	11,887,994	11,869,896
Capitalization:
Common stock, $1 par (authorized - 120,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding - 71,665,592 and 71,563,750 shares)	73,295	73,194
Additional paid-in capital	2,547,485	2,541,790
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(46,222)	(43,787)
Retained earnings	781,683	738,839
Total equity	3,356,241	3,310,036
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	7,661	104,667
Long-term debt, less current maturities	4,648,958	4,609,838
Total capitalization	8,012,860	8,024,541
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	42,770	42,552
Short-term debt	644,000	628,500
Accounts payable	264,620	346,907
Customer deposits	52,632	48,460
Income taxes payable, net	744	817
Accrued general taxes	96,676	58,053
Accrued interest	39,985	36,605
Other current liabilities	577,237	522,953
Total current liabilities	1,718,664	1,684,847
Deferred income taxes and other credits:
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net	784,491	752,997
Accumulated removal costs	457,000	458,000
Other deferred credits and other long-term liabilities	914,979	949,511
Total deferred income taxes and other credits	2,156,470	2,160,508
Total capitalization and liabilities	$ 11,887,994	$ 11,869,896