4.	Inventories and natural gas in storage

Inventories, other than natural gas in storage for the Company's regulated operations, were stated at the lower of average cost or market value. Natural gas in storage for the Company's regulated operations is generally carried at average cost, or cost using the last-in, first-out method. The portion of the cost of natural gas in storage expected to be used within one year was included in inventories. Inventories consisted of:

	September 30, 2011		September 30, 2010		December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Aggregates held for resale	$	80,868	$	82,622	$	79,894
Materials and supplies		64,988		62,273		57,324
Natural gas in storage (current)		39,629		40,133		34,557
Merchandise for resale		30,974		29,566		30,182
Asphalt oil		26,851		24,341		25,234
Other		26,259		22,745		25,706
Total	$	269,569	$	261,680	$	252,897

The remainder of natural gas in storage, which largely represents the cost of gas required to maintain pressure levels for normal operating purposes, was included in other assets and was $47.2 million, $59.3 million, and $48.0 million at September 30, 2011 and 2010, and December 31, 2010, respectively.