CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Regulated operations plant:
Gas plant	$ 10,458,923	$ 10,140,362
Less: accumulated depreciation	(2,896,703)	(2,822,669)
Construction work in progress	226,210	200,549
Net regulated operations plant	7,788,430	7,518,242
Other property and investments, net	1,234,942	1,266,340
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	599,639	106,536
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	796,238	886,549
Accrued utility revenue	46,400	93,000
Income taxes receivable, net	9,661	1,935
Deferred purchased gas costs	39,777	552,885
Prepaid and other current assets	239,887	218,832
Current assets held for sale	0	21,377
Total current assets	1,731,602	1,881,114
Noncurrent assets:
Goodwill	786,175	789,729
Deferred income taxes	2,171	463
Deferred charges and other assets	442,024	414,008
Total noncurrent assets	1,230,370	1,204,200
Total assets	11,985,344	11,869,896
Capitalization:
Common stock, $1 par (authorized - 120,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding - 71,709,298 and 71,563,750 shares)	73,339	73,194
Additional paid-in capital	2,709,674	2,541,790
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(45,615)	(43,787)
Retained earnings	755,367	738,839
Total equity	3,492,765	3,310,036
Noncontrolling interest	174,199	0
Total equity	3,666,964	3,310,036
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	7,671	104,667
Long-term debt, less current maturities	5,063,577	4,609,838
Total capitalization	8,738,212	8,024,541
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	31,194	42,552
Short-term debt	111,000	628,500
Accounts payable	264,289	346,907
Customer deposits	57,399	48,460
Income taxes payable, net	2,241	817
Accrued general taxes	63,769	58,053
Accrued interest	36,575	36,605
Deferred purchased gas costs	121,323	0
Other current liabilities	408,364	522,953
Total current liabilities	1,096,154	1,684,847
Deferred income taxes and other credits:
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net	792,244	752,997
Accumulated removal costs	463,000	458,000
Other deferred credits and other long-term liabilities	895,734	949,511
Total deferred income taxes and other credits	2,150,978	2,160,508
Total capitalization and liabilities	$ 11,985,344	$ 11,869,896