INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES NJR evaluates its tax positions to determine the appropriate accounting and recognition of potential future obligations associated with unrecognized tax benefits. During the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, based on its analysis, the Company determined there was no need to recognize any liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. To calculate the estimated annual effective tax rate, NJR considers tax credits associated with solar and wind projects. For investment tax credits the estimate is based on solar projects that are probable of being completed and placed in service during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. For production tax credits the estimate is based on the forecast of electricity produced during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. Adjustments to the effective tax rate and management's estimates will occur as information and assumptions change. The effective tax rates for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, were 14.7 percent and 24.9 percent, respectively. The decreased tax rate is due primarily to a decrease in forecasted pre-tax income for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, compared to the prior fiscal year. Forecasted tax credits, net of deferred taxes, are $26.8 million and $27.1 million for fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. Even though forecasted tax credits are lower in fiscal 2016, there is a greater impact to the effective tax rate due to the lower forecasted earnings. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has total state income tax net operating losses of approximately $222.6 million, which generally have a life of 20 years. The Company has recorded a deferred state tax asset of approximately $13 million on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, reflecting the tax benefit associated with the loss carryforwards. In addition, as of December 31, 2015, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $271,000 because it believes that it is more likely than not that the state net operating losses related to CR&R and NJR will expire unused. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had total state income tax net operating losses of approximately $218.1 million, a deferred state tax asset of approximately $12.8 million and a valuation allowance of $176,000. In addition, as of September 30, 2015, the Company had an ITC carryforward of approximately $22.1 million, all of which was generated in fiscal year 2015, and has a life of 20 years. The Company expects to utilize this entire carryforward. In December 2015, the Consolidated Appropriations Act extended the 30 percent ITC for solar property that is under construction on or before December 31, 2019. The credit will decline to 26 percent for property under construction as of and during 2020 and to 20 percent for property under construction as of and during 2021. For any property that is under construction before 2022, but not placed in service before 2024 the energy credit is reduced to 10 percent. In addition, the Consolidated Appropriations Act retroactively extends the PTC for five years through December 31, 2019, with a gradual three year phase out for any project for which construction of the facility begins after December 31, 2016.

INCOME TAXES

NJR evaluates its tax positions to determine the appropriate accounting and recognition of potential future obligations associated with unrecognized tax benefits. During the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, based on its analysis, the Company determined there was no need to recognize any liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions.

To calculate the estimated annual effective tax rate, NJR considers tax credits associated with solar and wind projects. For investment tax credits the estimate is based on solar projects that are probable of being completed and placed in service during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. For production tax credits the estimate is based on the forecast of electricity produced during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. Adjustments to the effective tax rate and management's estimates will occur as information and assumptions change.

The effective tax rates for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, were 14.7 percent and 24.9 percent, respectively. The decreased tax rate is due primarily to a decrease in forecasted pre-tax income for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, compared to the prior fiscal year. Forecasted tax credits, net of deferred taxes, are $26.8 million and $27.1 million for fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. Even though forecasted tax credits are lower in fiscal 2016, there is a greater impact to the effective tax rate due to the lower forecasted earnings.

As of December 31, 2015, the Company has total state income tax net operating losses of approximately $222.6 million, which generally have a life of 20 years. The Company has recorded a deferred state tax asset of approximately $13 million on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, reflecting the tax benefit associated with the loss carryforwards. In addition, as of December 31, 2015, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $271,000 because it believes that it is more likely than not that the state net operating losses related to CR&R and NJR will expire unused. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had total state income tax net operating losses of approximately $218.1 million, a deferred state tax asset of approximately $12.8 million and a valuation allowance of $176,000.

In addition, as of September 30, 2015, the Company had an ITC carryforward of approximately $22.1 million, all of which was generated in fiscal year 2015, and has a life of 20 years. The Company expects to utilize this entire carryforward.

In December 2015, the Consolidated Appropriations Act extended the 30 percent ITC for solar property that is under construction on or before December 31, 2019. The credit will decline to 26 percent for property under construction as of and during 2020 and to 20 percent for property under construction as of and during 2021. For any property that is under construction before 2022, but not placed in service before 2024 the energy credit is reduced to 10 percent. In addition, the Consolidated Appropriations Act retroactively extends the PTC for five years through December 31, 2019, with a gradual three year phase out for any project for which construction of the facility begins after December 31, 2016.