Unaudited Financial Information (Table)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Regulatory Assets

Significant regulatory assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020 included the following:

	June 30, 2021		September 30, 2020
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	$	135,411	$	149,089
Infrastructure mechanisms(1)	222,263		183,943
Winter Storm Uri incremental costs(2)	2,093,779		—
Deferred gas costs	27,593		40,593
Regulatory excess deferred taxes	8,838		—
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	3,893		4,894
Deferred pipeline record collection costs	31,283		29,839
Other	3,952		6,283
	$	2,527,012	$	414,641
Regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory excess deferred taxes	$	694,018	$	718,651
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	536,317		531,096
Deferred gas costs	55,572		19,985
Asset retirement obligation	20,348		20,348
APT annual adjustment mechanism	37,358		57,379
Other	19,371		19,554
	$	1,362,984	$	1,367,013

(1)Infrastructure mechanisms in Texas, Louisiana and Tennessee allow for the deferral of all eligible expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to these rules, including the recording of interest on deferred expenses until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recoverable through base rates.

(2)Includes extraordinary gas costs incurred during Winter Storm Uri and related carrying costs. See Note 8 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further information. This amount is recorded within deferred charges and other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2021.

Schedule of Regulatory Liabilities

Significant regulatory assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020 included the following:

	June 30, 2021		September 30, 2020
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	$	135,411	$	149,089
Infrastructure mechanisms(1)	222,263		183,943
Winter Storm Uri incremental costs(2)	2,093,779		—
Deferred gas costs	27,593		40,593
Regulatory excess deferred taxes	8,838		—
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	3,893		4,894
Deferred pipeline record collection costs	31,283		29,839
Other	3,952		6,283
	$	2,527,012	$	414,641
Regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory excess deferred taxes	$	694,018	$	718,651
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	536,317		531,096
Deferred gas costs	55,572		19,985
Asset retirement obligation	20,348		20,348
APT annual adjustment mechanism	37,358		57,379
Other	19,371		19,554
	$	1,362,984	$	1,367,013

(1)Infrastructure mechanisms in Texas, Louisiana and Tennessee allow for the deferral of all eligible expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to these rules, including the recording of interest on deferred expenses until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recoverable through base rates.

(2)Includes extraordinary gas costs incurred during Winter Storm Uri and related carrying costs. See Note 8 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further information. This amount is recorded within deferred charges and other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2021.