CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Utility plant, at cost	$ 1,591,532	$ 1,502,451
Utility plant, at cost, Construction work in progress	102,420	92,827
Solar equipment, real estate properties and other, at cost	192,026	76,431
Solar equipment, real estate properties and other, at cost, Construction work in progress	20,558	34,455
Total property, plant and equipment	1,906,536	1,706,164
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(421,659)	(410,237)
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,484,877	1,295,927
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	4,509	7,440
Customer accounts receivable
Billed	170,543	209,266
Unbilled revenues	7,017	7,333
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(4,797)	(4,612)
Regulatory assets	32,734	17,630
Gas in storage, at average cost	265,193	294,475
Materials and supplies, at average cost	7,863	7,395
Prepaid and accrued taxes	32,029	54,311
Derivatives, at fair value	48,021	100,338
Restricted broker margin accounts	21,929	22,595
Deferred taxes	29,074	1,498
Other current assets	33,229	14,698
Total current assets	647,344	732,367
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Investments in equity investees	164,595	159,063
Regulatory assets	441,263	434,185
Derivatives, at fair value	2,328	6,515
Other noncurrent assets	29,598	21,387
Total noncurrent assets	637,784	621,150
Total assets	2,770,005	2,649,444
CAPITALIZATION
Common stock, $2.50 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares; outstanding 2012-41,619,633; 2011-41,421,786	110,956	110,258
Premium on common stock	272,566	265,524
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net of tax	(10,771)	(10,604)
Treasury stock at cost and other; shares 2012-2,763,659; 2011-2,808,093	(116,551)	(117,683)
Retained earnings	557,665	528,762
Common stock equity	813,865	776,257
Long-term debt	525,169	426,797
Total capitalization	1,339,034	1,203,054
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	7,760	7,575
Short-term debt	279,800	159,350
Gas purchases payable	182,414	252,691
Accounts payable and other	66,765	65,960
Dividends payable	16,648	14,912
Deferred and accrued taxes	2,072	778
Regulatory liabilities	1,169	4,633
New Jersey clean energy program	5,619	15,011
Derivatives, at fair value	42,440	68,698
Customers' credit balances and deposits	48,452	113,776
Total current liabilities	653,139	703,384
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes	355,306	327,782
Deferred investment tax credits	5,905	6,227
Deferred revenue	5,502	7,633
Derivatives, at fair value	3,133	6,341
Manufactured gas plant remediation	182,000	182,900
Postemployment employee benefit liability	124,196	114,305
Regulatory liabilities	67,077	59,837
New Jersey clean energy program	0	5,133
Asset retirement obligation	27,983	27,026
Other noncurrent liabilities	6,730	5,822
Total noncurrent liabilities	777,832	743,006
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)
Total capitalization and liabilities	$ 2,770,005	$ 2,649,444