CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2025	Sep. 30, 2025
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Utility plant, at cost	$ 4,527,193	$ 4,434,220
Construction work in progress	398,396	395,943
Nonutility plant and equipment, at cost	1,998,521	1,972,811
Construction work in progress	217,407	151,404
Total property, plant and equipment	7,141,517	6,954,378
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, utility plant	(873,978)	(850,757)
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, nonutility plant and equipment	(305,983)	(293,522)
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,961,556	5,810,099
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	2,434	591
Customer accounts receivable
Billed	260,129	109,366
Unbilled revenues	151,953	24,194
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(9,992)	(11,371)
Regulatory assets	29,185	48,898
Natural gas in storage, at average cost	191,119	215,836
Materials and supplies, at average cost	45,216	43,420
Prepaid expenses	20,003	10,848
Prepaid taxes	33,191	67,143
Derivatives, at fair value	13,073	12,514
Restricted broker margin accounts	5,382	8,920
Other current assets	39,589	39,517
Total current assets	781,282	569,876
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Investments in equity method investees	101,567	101,243
Regulatory assets	664,743	672,518
Operating lease assets	188,889	185,596
Derivatives, at fair value	1,278	2,319
Software costs	11,159	11,151
Deferred income taxes	20,369	20,821
Postemployment employee benefit assets	41,925	40,813
Notes receivable	42,500	42,500
Other noncurrent assets	90,943	121,839
Total noncurrent assets	1,163,373	1,198,800
Total assets	7,906,211	7,578,775
CAPITALIZATION
Common stock, $2.50 par value; authorized 150,000,000 shares; outstanding shares December 31, 2025 — 100,750,110; September 30, 2025 — 100,478,590	251,388	250,705
Premium on common stock	688,575	676,635
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(11,205)	(11,463)
Treasury stock at cost and other; shares December 31, 2025 — 18,922; September 30, 2025 — 17,273	17,575	24,422
Retained earnings	1,526,002	1,451,367
Common stock equity	2,472,335	2,391,666
Long-term debt	3,274,055	3,250,387
Total capitalization	5,746,390	5,642,053
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	161,645	158,192
Short-term debt	369,000	195,600
Natural gas purchases payable	95,088	62,593
Natural gas purchases payable to related parties	640	641
Deferred revenue	21,373	22,605
Accounts payable and other	136,540	204,478
Dividends payable	47,855	47,719
Accrued taxes	12,140	11,722
Regulatory liabilities	23,091	12,884
New Jersey Clean Energy Program	14,572	17,171
Derivatives, at fair value	8,711	7,620
Operating lease liabilities	4,694	4,388
Restricted broker margin accounts	2,355	3,949
Customers' credit balances and deposits	40,245	31,297
Total current liabilities	937,949	780,859
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes	468,666	438,411
Deferred investment tax credits	1,808	1,878
Deferred revenue	46,937	17,580
Derivatives, at fair value	6,157	4,283
Manufactured gas plant remediation	167,462	166,990
Postemployment employee benefit liability	109,459	108,830
Regulatory liabilities	170,512	171,177
Operating lease liabilities	162,984	159,131
Asset retirement obligations	77,055	76,507
Other noncurrent liabilities	10,832	11,076
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,221,872	1,155,863
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)
Total capitalization and liabilities	7,906,211	7,578,775
Related Party
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Natural gas purchases payable to related parties	$ 640	$ 641