CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2024
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Utility plant, at cost	$ 4,280,115	$ 4,221,395
Construction work in progress	272,360	233,295
Nonutility plant and equipment, at cost	1,724,166	1,834,956
Construction work in progress	219,905	206,869
Total property, plant and equipment	6,496,546	6,496,515
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, utility plant	(811,164)	(786,594)
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, nonutility plant and equipment	(257,139)	(306,698)
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,428,243	5,403,223
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	1,908	1,017
Customer accounts receivable
Billed	211,036	105,531
Unbilled revenues	117,280	20,094
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(8,297)	(8,506)
Regulatory assets	64,689	73,070
Natural gas in storage, at average cost	192,046	199,125
Materials and supplies, at average cost	40,316	38,484
Prepaid expenses	19,175	11,754
Prepaid taxes	31,862	67,066
Derivatives, at fair value	5,073	6,813
Restricted broker margin accounts	23,003	13,243
Other current assets	32,613	26,904
Total current assets	730,704	554,595
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Investments in equity method investees	101,609	101,744
Regulatory assets	612,595	609,192
Operating lease assets	183,252	184,485
Derivatives, at fair value	1,872	806
Software costs	10,561	10,522
Deferred income taxes	23,303	20,751
Postemployment employee benefit assets	23,014	24,660
Other noncurrent assets	78,812	71,667
Total noncurrent assets	1,035,018	1,023,827
Total assets	7,193,965	6,981,645
CAPITALIZATION
Common stock, $2.50 par value; authorized 150,000,000 shares; outstanding shares December 31, 2024 — 100,191,159; September 30, 2024 — 99,461,448	249,984	248,159
Premium on common stock	663,882	633,811
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(6,453)	(6,521)
Treasury stock at cost and other; shares December 31, 2024 — 16,658; September 30, 2024 — 16,302	20,188	26,220
Retained earnings	1,385,083	1,298,774
Common stock equity	2,312,684	2,200,443
Long-term debt	2,989,473	2,879,464
Total capitalization	5,302,157	5,079,907
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	91,558	189,006
Short-term debt	337,000	291,800
Natural gas purchases payable	88,513	57,515
Natural gas purchases payable to related parties	881	875
Deferred revenue	22,222	21,572
Accounts payable and other	112,529	169,232
Dividends payable	45,009	44,752
Accrued taxes	10,593	10,593
Regulatory liabilities	32,610	32,981
New Jersey Clean Energy Program	16,523	18,491
Derivatives, at fair value	13,463	6,271
Operating lease liabilities	5,177	4,945
Restricted broker margin accounts	0	1,146
Customers' credit balances and deposits	42,587	38,595
Total current liabilities	818,665	887,774
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes	383,362	358,783
Deferred investment tax credits	2,086	2,156
Deferred revenue	32,451	3,095
Derivatives, at fair value	12,321	11,490
Manufactured gas plant remediation	161,024	161,650
Postemployment employee benefit liability	71,143	64,609
Regulatory liabilities	174,726	175,847
Operating lease liabilities	158,583	159,303
Asset retirement obligations	67,278	66,698
Other noncurrent liabilities	10,169	10,333
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,073,143	1,013,964
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)
Total capitalization and liabilities	7,193,965	6,981,645
Related Party
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Natural gas purchases payable to related parties	$ 881	$ 875