STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Operating activities
Net income	$ 145,828	$ 160,499
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	221,247	207,246
Deferred income taxes	82,052	14,733
Share-based compensation expense	10,458	9,259
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,736	7,164
Proceeds from Securitization Bonds, Operating Activities	0	197,366
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	167,880	369,203
Materials and supplies	(16,743)	(4,045)
Natural gas in storage	6,302	64,798
Payments for Removal Costs	(48,135)	(48,779)
Accounts payable	(116,385)	(189,663)
Accrued taxes other than income	3,036	(10,825)
Customer deposits	10,350	9,139
Increase (Decrease) In Regulatory Assets And Liabilities Current, net	(106,051)	17,884
Increase (Decrease) In Regulatory Assets And Liabilities Noncurrent, net	13,374	28,667
Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets and Liabilities, Net	(67,145)	7,656
Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets and Liabilities, Net	(4,023)	2,222
Cash provided by operating activities	305,781	842,524
Investing activities
Capital expenditures	(523,590)	(490,338)
Payments for Other Investing Activities	(3,760)	(3,194)
Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets, Investing Activities	5,122	4,121
Cash used in investing activities	(522,228)	(489,411)
Financing activities
Borrowings (repayments) of short-term debt, net	862,900	(225,050)
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-Term Debt	253,651	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	3,368	3,176
Repayments of Other Long-Term Debt	(773,000)	0
Repayment of securitized utility tariff bonds	(27,939)	(20,716)
Dividends paid	(112,064)	(108,049)
Payment, Tax Withholding, Share-based Payment Arrangement	(1,098)	(2,563)
Cash used in financing activities	205,818	(353,202)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(10,629)	(89)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Beginning Balance	39,387	18,127
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	28,758	18,038
Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities	110,667	78,798
Income Taxes Paid, Net	$ (1,232)	$ 17,051