Form 10-Q - Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)]

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)


☒			QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024


☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 1-10042

Atmos Energy Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas

and

Virginia

75-1743247

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

(IRS employer
identification no.)

1800 Three Lincoln Centre

5430 LBJ Freeway

Dallas

Texas

75240

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)

(972) 934-9227

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


Title of each class		Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock	No Par Value	ATO	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes ☐ No þ

Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of May 3, 2024.


Class		Shares Outstanding
Common stock	No Par Value	150,877,056

GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS





AEC			Atmos Energy Corporation
AEK			Atmos Energy Kansas Securitization I, LLC
AOCI			Accumulated other comprehensive income
ARM			Annual Rate Mechanism

ASC			Accounting Standards Codification
Bcf			Billion cubic feet

DARR			Dallas Annual Rate Review

FASB			Financial Accounting Standards Board

GAAP			Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GRIP			Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program
GSRS			Gas System Reliability Surcharge
KCC			Kansas Corporation Commission

Mcf			Thousand cubic feet
MMcf			Million cubic feet
Moody’s			Moody’s Investors Services, Inc.

PRP			Pipeline Replacement Program
RRC			Railroad Commission of Texas
RRM			Rate Review Mechanism
RSC			Rate Stabilization Clause
S&P			Standard & Poor’s Corporation
SAVE			Steps to Advance Virginia Energy
SEC			United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Securitized Utility Tariff Bonds			Series 2023-A Senior Secured Securitized Utility Tariff Bonds
Securitized Utility Tariff Property			As defined in the financing order issued by the KCC in October 2022
SIP			System Integrity Program
SIR			System Integrity Rider
SOFR			Secured Overnight Financing Rate
SRF			Stable Rate Filing
SSIR			System Safety and Integrity Rider
TCJA			Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
WNA			Weather Normalization Adjustment

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.			Financial Statements

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(Unaudited)
	(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment	$	24,283,917	$	22,898,374
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	3,469,354		3,291,791
Net property, plant and equipment	20,814,563		19,606,583
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	262,497		15,404
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	1,272		3,844
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents	263,769		19,248
Accounts receivable, net	596,433		328,654
Gas stored underground	144,128		245,830
Other current assets	428,105		292,036
Total current assets	1,432,435		885,768
Securitized intangible asset, net (See Note 9)	87,279		92,202
Goodwill	731,257		731,257
Deferred charges and other assets	939,106		1,201,158
	$	24,004,640	$	22,516,968
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, no par value (stated at $0.005 per share); 200,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: March 31, 2024 — 150,874,552 shares; September 30, 2023 — 148,492,783 shares	$	754	$	742
Additional paid-in capital	6,953,761		6,684,120
Accumulated other comprehensive income	495,700		518,528
Retained earnings	4,168,424		3,666,674
Shareholders’ equity	11,618,639		10,870,064
Long-term debt, net	7,444,855		6,554,133
Securitized long-term debt (See Note 9)	81,261		85,078
Total capitalization	19,144,755		17,509,275
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	367,887		336,083
Other current liabilities	677,706		763,086
Short-term debt	—		241,933
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,591		1,568
Current maturities of securitized long-term debt (See Note 9)	8,001		9,922
Total current liabilities	1,055,185		1,352,592
Deferred income taxes	2,486,024		2,304,974
Regulatory excess deferred taxes	216,284		253,212
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	506,860		497,017

Deferred credits and other liabilities	595,532		599,898
	$	24,004,640	$	22,516,968

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME


	Three Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023
	(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenues
Distribution segment	$	1,589,181	$	1,500,210
Pipeline and storage segment	223,487		184,424
Intersegment eliminations	(165,441)		(143,661)
Total operating revenues	1,647,227		1,540,973

Purchased gas cost
Distribution segment	788,643		809,023
Pipeline and storage segment	840		621
Intersegment eliminations	(165,188)		(143,433)
Total purchased gas cost	624,295		666,211

Operation and maintenance expense	199,899		194,716
Depreciation and amortization expense	165,087		148,317
Taxes, other than income	106,956		109,091
Operating income	550,990		422,638
Other non-operating income	16,687		17,406
Interest charges	55,442		37,370
Income before income taxes	512,235		402,674
Income tax expense	80,212		45,003



Net income	$	432,023	$	357,671
Basic net income per share	$	2.85	$	2.48
Diluted net income per share	$	2.85	$	2.48
Cash dividends per share	$	0.805	$	0.740
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	151,271		143,941
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	151,297		143,987

Net income	$	432,023	$	357,671
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $(15) and $39	(50)		134
Cash flow hedges:
Amortization and unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate agreements, net of tax of $7,850 and $(8,806)	27,158		(30,467)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	27,108		(30,333)
Total comprehensive income	$	459,131	$	327,338

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME



	Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023
	(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenues
Distribution segment	$	2,694,519	$	2,940,636
Pipeline and storage segment	434,656		371,053
Intersegment eliminations	(323,481)		(286,707)
Total operating revenues	2,805,694		3,024,982

Purchased gas cost
Distribution segment	1,285,305		1,690,938
Pipeline and storage segment	844		(237)
Intersegment eliminations	(322,985)		(286,241)
Total purchased gas cost	963,164		1,404,460

Operation and maintenance expense	366,244		379,732
Depreciation and amortization expense	329,695		294,337
Taxes, other than income	196,496		202,629
Operating income	950,095		743,824
Other non-operating income	34,573		38,597
Interest charges	107,317		74,130
Income before income taxes	877,351		708,291
Income tax expense	134,036		78,760



Net income	$	743,315	$	629,531
Basic net income per share	$	4.93	$	4.40
Diluted net income per share	$	4.93	$	4.40
Cash dividends per share	$	1.61	$	1.48
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	150,534		142,881
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	150,547		142,963

Net income	$	743,315	$	629,531
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $71 and $64	246		221
Cash flow hedges:
Amortization and unrealized losses on interest rate agreements, net of tax of $(6,669) and $(2,409)	(23,074)		(8,336)
Total other comprehensive loss	(22,828)		(8,115)
Total comprehensive income	$	720,487	$	621,416

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


	Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023
	(Unaudited) (In thousands)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$	743,315	$	629,531
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization expense	329,695		294,337

Deferred income taxes	110,098		59,060



Other	(28,023)		(27,496)
Net assets / liabilities from risk management activities	1,683		(1,482)
Net change in Winter Storm Uri current regulatory asset	—		2,021,889
Net change in other operating assets and liabilities	(164,895)		(83,123)
Net cash provided by operating activities	991,873		2,892,716
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(1,415,526)		(1,415,349)


Debt and equity securities activities, net	(1,010)		(4,560)

Other, net	7,272		9,519
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,409,264)		(1,410,390)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Net decrease in short-term debt	(241,933)		(184,967)
Net proceeds from equity issuances	254,022		359,683
Issuance of common stock through stock purchase and employee retirement plans	7,771		7,910
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	898,275		797,258


Proceeds from term loan	—		2,020,000
Repayment of term loan	—		(2,020,000)
Repayment of long-term debt	—		(2,200,000)
Repayment of securitized debt	(5,738)		—
Cash dividends paid	(241,565)		(210,725)
Debt issuance costs	(8,920)		(7,864)



Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	661,912		(1,438,705)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents	244,521		43,621
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	19,248		51,554
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	263,769	$	95,175

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

March 31, 2024

1. Nature of Business

Atmos Energy Corporation (“Atmos Energy” or the “Company”) and its subsidiaries are engaged in the regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline and storage businesses. Our distribution business is subject to federal and state regulation and/or regulation by local authorities in each of the states in which our regulated divisions and subsidiaries operate.

Our distribution business delivers natural gas through sales and transportation arrangements to over 3.3 million residential, commercial, public authority and industrial customers through our six regulated distribution divisions, which at March 31, 2024, covered service areas located in eight states.

Our pipeline and storage business, which is also subject to federal and state regulations, includes the transportation of natural gas to our Texas and Louisiana distribution systems and the management of our underground storage facilities used to support our distribution business in various states.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

These consolidated interim-period financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States on the same basis as those used for the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation have been made to the unaudited consolidated interim-period financial statements. These consolidated interim-period financial statements are condensed as permitted by the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Atmos Energy Corporation included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. Because of seasonal and other factors, the results of operations for the six-month period ended March 31, 2024 are not indicative of our results of operations for the full 2024 fiscal year, which ends September 30, 2024.

Significant accounting policies

Our accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, we completed our annual goodwill impairment assessment using a qualitative assessment, as permitted under U.S. GAAP. We test for goodwill at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit. Based on the assessment performed, we determined that our goodwill was not impaired.

No events have occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date that would require recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance which provides updates to qualitative and quantitative reportable segment disclosure requirements, including enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and increased interim disclosure requirements, among others. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted, and the amendments should be applied retrospectively. This amendment will be effective for our Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 and our Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. We are currently evaluating the impact this may have on our financial statement disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued guidance which provides qualitative and quantitative updates to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disclosures, among others, in order to enhance the transparency of income tax disclosures, including consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and disaggregation by jurisdiction of income taxes paid. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments should be applied prospectively; however, retrospective application is also permitted. This amendment will be effective for our Form 10-K for fiscal 2026. We are currently evaluating the impact this amendment may have on our financial statement disclosures.

3. Regulation

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require cost-based, rate-regulated entities that meet certain criteria to reflect the authorized recovery of costs due to regulatory decisions in their financial statements. As a result, certain costs are permitted to be capitalized rather than expensed because they can be recovered through rates. We record certain costs as regulatory assets when future recovery through customer rates is considered probable. Regulatory liabilities are recorded when it is probable that revenues will be reduced for amounts that will be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. Substantially all of our regulatory assets are recorded as a component of other current assets and deferred charges and other assets and our regulatory liabilities are recorded as a component of other current liabilities and deferred credits and other liabilities. Deferred gas costs are recorded either in other current assets or liabilities.

Regulatory assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023 included the following:


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	$	16,174	$	20,629
Infrastructure mechanisms (1)	210,795		229,996
Winter Storm Uri incremental costs	15,510		32,115

Deferred gas costs	25,928		148,297
Regulatory excess deferred taxes (2)	51,654		47,549
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	3,154		3,238
Deferred pipeline record collection costs	66,535		54,008


Other	15,618		19,096
	$	405,368	$	554,928
Regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory excess deferred taxes (2)	$	315,020	$	384,513

Regulatory cost of removal obligation	594,815		582,867
Deferred gas costs	57,680		23,093

APT annual adjustment mechanism	40,233		49,894
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	205,718		215,913
Other	35,315		28,054
	$	1,248,781	$	1,284,334

(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)Regulatory excess deferred taxes represent changes in our net deferred tax liability related to our cost of service ratemaking due to the enactment of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "TCJA") and a Kansas legislative change enacted in fiscal 2020. See Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.

Securitization

Kansas

See Note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for securitization and other information related to Atmos Energy Kansas Securitization I, LLC (AEK).

Texas

In March 2023, the Texas Natural Gas Securitization Finance Corporation (the Finance Corporation), with the authority of the Texas Public Finance Authority (TPFA), issued $3.5 billion in customer rate relief bonds with varying scheduled final maturities from 12 to 18 years. The bonds are obligations of the Finance Corporation, payable from the customer rate relief charges and other bond collateral, and are not an obligation of Atmos Energy. We began collecting the customer rate relief charges on October 1, 2023, and any such property collected is solely owned by the Finance Corporation and not available to pay creditors of Atmos Energy.

Additionally, we deferred $32.4 million in carrying costs incurred after September 1, 2022. Effective October 1, 2023, we began recovering a portion of these carrying costs. We have recorded $4.6 million and $21.2 million as a current asset in other current assets as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023. We anticipate recovering the remaining $10.9 million in future regulatory filings and have recorded this amount as a long-term asset in deferred charges and other assets as of March 31, 2024.

4. Segment Information

We manage and review our consolidated operations through the following reportable segments:

•The distribution segment is primarily comprised of our regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations in eight states.

•The pipeline and storage segment is comprised primarily of the pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline-Texas division and our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

Income statements and capital expenditures for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 by segment are presented in the following tables:


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,588,394	$	58,833	$	—	$	1,647,227
Intersegment revenues	787		164,654		(165,441)		—
Total operating revenues	1,589,181		223,487		(165,441)		1,647,227
Purchased gas cost	788,643		840		(165,188)		624,295
Operation and maintenance expense	154,956		45,196		(253)		199,899
Depreciation and amortization expense	121,384		43,703		—		165,087
Taxes, other than income	98,008		8,948		—		106,956
Operating income	426,190		124,800		—		550,990
Other non-operating income	9,359		7,328		—		16,687
Interest charges	36,784		18,658		—		55,442
Income before income taxes	398,765		113,470		—		512,235
Income tax expense	56,073		24,139		—		80,212
Net income	$	342,692	$	89,331	$	—	$	432,023
Capital expenditures	$	532,997	$	112,879	$	—	$	645,876


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,499,437	$	41,536	$	—	$	1,540,973
Intersegment revenues	773		142,888		(143,661)		—
Total operating revenues	1,500,210		184,424		(143,661)		1,540,973
Purchased gas cost	809,023		621		(143,433)		666,211
Operation and maintenance expense	151,353		43,591		(228)		194,716
Depreciation and amortization expense	106,310		42,007		—		148,317
Taxes, other than income	98,200		10,891		—		109,091
Operating income	335,324		87,314		—		422,638
Other non-operating income	7,465		9,941		—		17,406
Interest charges	21,420		15,950		—		37,370
Income before income taxes	321,369		81,305		—		402,674
Income tax expense	32,895		12,108		—		45,003
Net income	$	288,474	$	69,197	$	—	$	357,671
Capital expenditures	$	424,989	$	194,700	$	—	$	619,689



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	2,693,013	$	112,681	$	—	$	2,805,694
Intersegment revenues	1,506		321,975		(323,481)		—
Total operating revenues	2,694,519		434,656		(323,481)		2,805,694
Purchased gas cost	1,285,305		844		(322,985)		963,164
Operation and maintenance expense	282,571		84,169		(496)		366,244
Depreciation and amortization expense	241,069		88,626		—		329,695
Taxes, other than income	178,903		17,593		—		196,496
Operating income	706,671		243,424		—		950,095
Other non-operating income	15,198		19,375		—		34,573
Interest charges	71,365		35,952		—		107,317
Income before income taxes	650,504		226,847		—		877,351
Income tax expense	86,375		47,661		—		134,036
Net income	$	564,129	$	179,186	$	—	$	743,315
Capital expenditures	$	1,072,155	$	343,371	$	—	$	1,415,526



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	2,939,130	$	85,852	$	—	$	3,024,982
Intersegment revenues	1,506		285,201		(286,707)		—
Total operating revenues	2,940,636		371,053		(286,707)		3,024,982
Purchased gas cost	1,690,938		(237)		(286,241)		1,404,460
Operation and maintenance expense	287,822		92,376		(466)		379,732
Depreciation and amortization expense	211,974		82,363		—		294,337
Taxes, other than income	182,822		19,807		—		202,629
Operating income	567,080		176,744		—		743,824
Other non-operating income	14,239		24,358		—		38,597
Interest charges	44,259		29,871		—		74,130
Income before income taxes	537,060		171,231		—		708,291
Income tax expense	54,118		24,642		—		78,760
Net income	$	482,942	$	146,589	$	—	$	629,531
Capital expenditures	$	868,533	$	546,816	$	—	$	1,415,349

Balance sheet information at March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023 by segment is presented in the following tables:


	March 31, 2024
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net property, plant and equipment	$	15,346,551	$	5,468,012	$	—	$	20,814,563
Total assets	$	23,212,086	$	5,776,113	$	(4,983,559)	$	24,004,640


	September 30, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net property, plant and equipment	$	14,402,578	$	5,204,005	$	—	$	19,606,583
Total assets	$	21,716,467	$	5,504,972	$	(4,704,471)	$	22,516,968

5. Earnings Per Share

We use the two-class method of computing earnings per share because we have participating securities in the form of non-vested restricted stock units with a nonforfeitable right to dividend equivalents, for which vesting is predicated solely on the passage of time. The calculation of earnings per share using the two-class method excludes income attributable to these participating securities from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those shares from the denominator. Basic weighted average shares outstanding is calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Also, this calculation includes fully vested stock awards that have not yet been issued as common stock. Additionally, the weighted average shares outstanding for diluted EPS includes the incremental effects of the forward sale agreements, discussed in Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, when the impact is dilutive.

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are calculated as follows:


	Three Months Ended March 31				Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic Earnings Per Share
Net income	$	432,023	$	357,671	$	743,315	$	629,531
Less: Income allocated to participating securities	255		212		442		381
Income available to common shareholders	$	431,768	$	357,459	$	742,873	$	629,150
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	151,271		143,941		150,534		142,881
Net income per share — Basic	$	2.85	$	2.48	$	4.93	$	4.40
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Income available to common shareholders	$	431,768	$	357,459	$	742,873	$	629,150
Effect of dilutive shares	—		—		—		—
Income available to common shareholders	$	431,768	$	357,459	$	742,873	$	629,150
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	151,271		143,941		150,534		142,881
Dilutive shares	26		46		13		82
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	151,297		143,987		150,547		142,963
Net income per share — Diluted	$	2.85	$	2.48	$	4.93	$	4.40

6. Revenue and Accounts Receivable

Revenue

Our revenue recognition policy is fully described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. The following tables disaggregate our revenue from contracts with customers by customer type and segment and provide a reconciliation to total operating revenues, including intersegment revenues, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024				Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Distribution		Pipeline and Storage
	(In thousands)
Gas sales revenues:
Residential	$	1,065,296	$	—	$	943,090	$	—
Commercial	404,701		—		398,812		—
Industrial	30,419		—		45,044		—
Public authority and other	21,120		—		22,686		—
Total gas sales revenues	1,521,536		—		1,409,632		—
Transportation revenues	37,607		223,159		33,511		190,248
Miscellaneous revenues	3,724		2,162		2,662		1,152
Revenues from contracts with customers	1,562,867		225,321		1,445,805		191,400
Alternative revenue program revenues	22,315		(1,834)		53,910		(6,976)
Other revenues	3,999		—		495		—
Total operating revenues	$	1,589,181	$	223,487	$	1,500,210	$	184,424



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2024				Six Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Distribution		Pipeline and Storage
	(In thousands)
Gas sales revenues:
Residential	$	1,792,978	$	—	$	1,896,141	$	—
Commercial	681,954		—		787,479		—
Industrial	58,650		—		104,259		—
Public authority and other	35,704		—		45,512		—
Total gas sales revenues	2,569,286		—		2,833,391		—
Transportation revenues	71,374		438,464		65,673		385,500
Miscellaneous revenues	6,367		5,204		4,944		3,874
Revenues from contracts with customers	2,647,027		443,668		2,904,008		389,374
Alternative revenue program revenues	39,716		(9,012)		35,588		(18,321)
Other revenues	7,776		—		1,040		—
Total operating revenues	$	2,694,519	$	434,656	$	2,940,636	$	371,053

We have alternative revenue programs in each of our segments. In our distribution segment, we have weather-normalization adjustment mechanisms that serve to mitigate the effects of weather on our revenue. In our pipeline and storage segment, APT has a regulatory mechanism that requires that we share with its tariffed customers 75% of the difference between the total non-tariffed revenues earned during a test period and a revenue benchmark established by the RRC. With the completion of APT's most recent rate case in December 2023, the revenue benchmark was increased from $69.4 million to $106.9 million. Other revenues includes AEK revenues (see Note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements) and other miscellaneous revenues.

Accounts receivable and allowance for uncollectible accounts

Accounts receivable arise from natural gas sales to residential, commercial, industrial, public authority and other customers. Our accounts receivable balance includes unbilled amounts which represent a customer’s consumption of gas from the date of the last cycle billing through the last day of the month. Our policy related to the accounting for our accounts receivable and allowance for uncollectible accounts is fully described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. During the six months ended March 31, 2024, there were no material changes to this policy. Rollforwards of our allowance for uncollectible accounts for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented in the table below. The allowance excludes the gas cost portion of customers’ bills for approximately 88 percent of our customers as we have the ability to collect these gas costs through our gas cost recovery mechanisms in most of our jurisdictions.

In December 2023, the Mississippi Public Service Commission approved the recovery of uncollectible accounts through our purchased gas cost mechanism over a two-year period rather than through our annual filing mechanism over a one-year period. As a result of this decision, we recorded a $13.9 million reduction to bad debt expense during the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Of this amount, $9.7 million represents future recovery of customer receivables previously written off since April 2022 but not yet recovered through our rates. This amount increased our deferred gas cost regulatory asset. The remaining $4.2 million reduction represents a reversal of our allowance for uncollectible accounts for customer balances that have not yet been written off.


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, December 31, 2023	$	35,406
Current period provisions	12,797
Write-offs charged against allowance	(5,859)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	361

Ending balance, March 31, 2024	$	42,705


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, December 31, 2022	$	47,613
Current period provisions	13,009
Write-offs charged against allowance	(8,333)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	462
Ending balance, March 31, 2023	$	52,751



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2024
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, September 30, 2023	$	40,840
Current period provisions	19,547
Write-offs charged against allowance	(14,616)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	1,126
Mississippi recovery of uncollectible accounts	(4,192)
Ending balance, March 31, 2024	$	42,705



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2023
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, September 30, 2022	$	49,993
Current period provisions	20,242
Write-offs charged against allowance	(18,754)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	1,270
Ending balance, March 31, 2023	$	52,751

7. Debt

The nature and terms of our debt instruments and credit facilities are described in detail in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. Other than as described below, there were no material changes in the terms of our debt instruments during the six months ended March 31, 2024.

Long-term debt at March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023 consisted of the following:


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Unsecured 3.00% Senior Notes, due June 2027	$	500,000	$	500,000
Unsecured 2.625% Senior Notes, due September 2029	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 1.50% Senior Notes, due January 2031	600,000		600,000
Unsecured 5.45% Senior Notes, due October 2032	300,000		300,000
Unsecured 5.90% Senior Notes, due October 2033	400,000		—
Unsecured 5.95% Senior Notes, due October 2034	200,000		200,000
Unsecured 5.50% Senior Notes, due June 2041	400,000		400,000
Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes, due January 2043	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 4.125% Senior Notes, due October 2044	750,000		750,000
Unsecured 4.30% Senior Notes, due October 2048	600,000		600,000
Unsecured 4.125% Senior Notes, due March 2049	450,000		450,000
Unsecured 3.375% Senior Notes, due September 2049	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 2.85% Senior Notes, due February 2052	600,000		600,000
Unsecured 5.75% Senior Notes, due October 2052	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 6.20% Senior Notes, due October 2053	500,000		—
Medium-term note Series A, 1995-1, 6.67%, due December 2025	10,000		10,000
Unsecured 6.75% Debentures, due July 2028	150,000		150,000
Finance lease obligations	49,670		50,393
Total long-term debt	7,509,670		6,610,393
Less:
Original issue discount on unsecured senior notes and debentures	7,617		6,104
Debt issuance cost	55,607		48,588
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,591		1,568
Total long-term debt, net	$	7,444,855	$	6,554,133

On October 10, 2023, we completed a public offering of $500 million of 6.20% senior notes due October 2053, with an effective interest rate of 5.56%, after giving effect to the offering costs and settlement of our interest rate swaps, and $400 million of 5.90% senior notes due October 2033, with an effective interest rate of 4.35%, after giving effect to the offering costs and settlement of our interest rate swaps. The net proceeds from the offering, after the underwriting discount and offering expenses, of $889.4 million were used for general corporate purposes.

Short-term debt

We utilize short-term debt to provide cost-effective, short-term financing until it can be replaced with a balance of long-term debt and equity financing that achieves the Company’s desired capital structure. Our short-term borrowing requirements are driven primarily by construction work in progress and the seasonal nature of the natural gas business.

Our short-term borrowing requirements are satisfied through a combination of a $1.5 billion commercial paper program and four committed revolving credit facilities with third-party lenders that provide $3.1 billion of total working capital funding.

Our commercial paper program is supported by a five-year unsecured $1.5 billion credit facility that was replaced on March 28, 2024, with a new five-year senior unsecured $1.5 billion credit facility that expires on March 28, 2029. This new facility bears interest at a base rate or at a Term SOFR-based rate for the applicable interest period, plus a margin ranging from zero percent to 0.25 percent for base rate advances or a margin ranging from 0.75 percent to 1.25 percent for Term SOFR-based advances, based on the Company’s credit ratings. Additionally, the facility contains a $250 million accordion feature, which provides the opportunity to increase the total committed loan to $1.75 billion. At March 31, 2024, there were no amounts

outstanding under our commercial paper program. At September 30, 2023, there was $241.9 million outstanding under our commercial paper program.

We also had a $900 million three-year unsecured revolving credit facility, which was replaced on March 28, 2024, with a new $1.5 billion three-year senior unsecured credit facility, which expires March 28, 2027 and is used to provide additional working capital funding. This new facility bears interest at a base rate or at a Term SOFR-based rate for the applicable interest period, plus a margin ranging from zero percent to 0.25 percent for base rate advances or a margin ranging from 0.75 percent to 1.25 percent for Term SOFR-based advances, based on the Company's credit ratings. Additionally, the facility contains a $250 million accordion feature, which provides the opportunity to increase the total committed loan to $1.75 billion. At March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023, there were no borrowings outstanding under this facility.

Additionally, we have a $50 million 364-day unsecured facility, which was renewed April 1, 2024 and is used to provide working capital funding. There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

Finally, we have a $50 million 364-day unsecured revolving credit facility, which was renewed March 31, 2024 and is used to issue letters of credit and to provide working capital funding. At March 31, 2024, there were no borrowings outstanding under this facility; however, outstanding letters of credit reduced the total amount available to us to $44.4 million.

Debt covenants

The availability of funds under these credit facilities is subject to conditions specified in the respective credit agreements, all of which we currently satisfy. These conditions include our compliance with financial covenants and the continued accuracy of representations and warranties contained in these agreements. We are required by the financial covenants in each of these facilities to maintain, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of total-debt-to-total-capitalization of no greater than 70 percent. At March 31, 2024, our total-debt-to-total-capitalization ratio, as defined in the agreements, was 40 percent. In addition, both the interest margin and the fee that we pay on unused amounts under certain of these facilities are subject to adjustment depending upon our credit ratings.

These credit facilities and our public indentures contain usual and customary covenants for our business, including covenants substantially limiting liens, substantial asset sales and mergers. Additionally, our public debt indentures relating to our senior notes and debentures, as well as certain of our revolving credit agreements, each contain a default provision that is triggered if outstanding indebtedness arising out of any other credit agreements in amounts ranging from in excess of $15 million to in excess of $100 million becomes due by acceleration or if not paid at maturity. We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of March 31, 2024. If we were unable to comply with our debt covenants, we would likely be required to repay our outstanding balances on demand, provide additional collateral or take other corrective actions.

8. Shareholders' Equity

The following tables present a reconciliation of changes in stockholders' equity for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.


	Common stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Retained Earnings		Total
	Number of Shares	Stated Value
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Balance, September 30, 2023	148,492,783	$	742	$	6,684,120	$	518,528	$	3,666,674	$	10,870,064
Net income	—	—		—		—		311,292		311,292
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		(49,936)		—		(49,936)


Cash dividends ($0.805 per share)	—	—		—		—		(119,898)		(119,898)

Common stock issued:
Public and other stock offerings	2,177,864	11		257,757		—		—		257,768
Stock-based compensation plans	163,750	1		3,918		—		—		3,919
Balance, December 31, 2023	150,834,397	754		6,945,795		468,592		3,858,068		11,273,209
Net income	—	—		—		—		432,023		432,023
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		27,108		—		27,108


Cash dividends ($0.805 per share)	—	—		—		—		(121,667)		(121,667)

Common stock issued:
Public and other stock offerings	34,687	—		4,025		—		—		4,025
Stock-based compensation plans	5,468	—		3,941		—		—		3,941
Balance, March 31, 2024	150,874,552	$	754	$	6,953,761	$	495,700	$	4,168,424	$	11,618,639


	Common stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Retained Earnings		Total
	Number of Shares	Stated Value
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Balance, September 30, 2022	140,896,598	$	704	$	5,838,118	$	369,112	$	3,211,157	$	9,419,091
Net income	—	—		—		—		271,860		271,860
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		22,218		—		22,218


Cash dividends ($0.74 per share)	—	—		—		—		(104,552)		(104,552)

Common stock issued:
Public and other stock offerings	2,147,210	11		223,768		—		—		223,779
Stock-based compensation plans	111,953	1		3,877		—		—		3,878
Balance, December 31, 2022	143,155,761	716		6,065,763		391,330		3,378,465		9,836,274
Net income	—	—		—		—		357,671		357,671
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		(30,333)		—		(30,333)


Cash dividends ($0.74 per share)	—	—		—		—		(106,173)		(106,173)

Common stock issued:
Public and other stock offerings	1,316,930	6		143,808		—		—		143,814
Stock-based compensation plans	11,959	—		3,952		—		—		3,952
Balance, March 31, 2023	144,484,650	$	722	$	6,213,523	$	360,997	$	3,629,963	$	10,205,205

Shelf Registration, At-the-Market Equity Sales Program and Equity Issuances

We have a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that allows us to issue up to $5.0 billion in common stock and/or debt securities, which expires March 31, 2026. At March 31, 2024, $3.1 billion of securities were available for issuance under this shelf registration statement.

We have an at-the-market (ATM) equity sales program under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock up to an aggregate offering price of $1.0 billion through March 31, 2026 (including shares of common stock that may be sold pursuant to forward sale agreements entered into concurrently with the ATM equity sales program).

During the six months ended March 31, 2024, we executed forward sales under our ATM equity sales program with various forward sellers who borrowed and sold 5,917,899 shares of our common stock at an aggregate price of $678.9 million. During the six months ended March 31, 2024, we also settled forward sale agreements with respect to 2,144,558 shares that had been borrowed and sold by various forward sellers under the ATM program for net proceeds of $254.0 million. As of March 31, 2024, $81.6 million of equity was available for issuance under our existing ATM program. Additionally, we had $889.7 million in available proceeds from outstanding forward sale agreements, as detailed below.



Maturity	Shares Available	Net Proceeds Available (In thousands)		Forward Price
September 30, 2024	861,655	$	101,838	$	118.19
December 31, 2024	2,176,974	251,971		$	115.74
June 30, 2025	4,695,737	535,871		$	114.12
Total	7,734,366	$	889,680	$	115.03

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

We record deferred gains (losses) in AOCI related to available-for-sale debt securities and interest rate agreement cash flow hedges. Deferred gains (losses) for our available-for-sale debt securities are recognized in earnings upon settlement, while deferred gains (losses) related to our interest rate agreement cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings on a straight-line basis over the life of the related financing. The following tables provide the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances, net of the related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss).


	Available- for-Sale Securities		Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges		Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2023	$	(369)	$	518,897	$	518,528
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	246		(18,091)		(17,845)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—		(4,983)		(4,983)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	246		(23,074)		(22,828)

March 31, 2024	$	(123)	$	495,823	$	495,700


	Available- for-Sale Securities		Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges		Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2022	$	(495)	$	369,607	$	369,112
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	221		(7,276)		(7,055)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—		(1,060)		(1,060)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	221		(8,336)		(8,115)

March 31, 2023	$	(274)	$	361,271	$	360,997

9. Variable Interest Entity

Atmos Energy Kansas Securitization I, LLC (AEK), a special-purpose entity wholly owned by Atmos Energy, was formed for the purpose of issuing securitized bonds to recover extraordinary costs incurred during Winter Storm Uri. In June 2023, AEK completed a public offering of $95 million of Securitized Utility Tariff Bonds. AEK's assets cannot be used to settle Atmos Energy's obligations, and the holders of the Securitized Utility Tariff Bonds have no recourse against Atmos Energy.

AEK is considered to be a variable interest entity. As a result, AEK is included in the condensed consolidated financial statements of Atmos Energy.

The following table summarizes the impact of AEK on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, for the periods indicated:


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$	1,272	$	3,844
Other current assets	$	2	$	11
Securitized intangible asset, net	$	87,279	$	92,202
Accrued interest	$	383	$	1,374
Current maturities of securitized long-term debt	$	8,001	$	9,922
Securitized long-term debt	$	81,261	$	85,078

The following table summarizes the impact of AEK on our condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, for the period indicated:


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024		Six Months Ended March 31, 2024

Operating revenues	$	3,469	$	6,802
Operation and maintenance expense	(224)		(224)
Amortization expense	(2,103)		(4,269)
Interest expense, net	(1,142)		(2,309)
Income before income taxes	$	—	$	—

The securitized long-term debt is recorded at carrying value. The fair value of the securitized long-term debt is determined using third party market value quotations, which are considered Level 2 fair value measurements for debt instruments where fair value is determined using the most recent available quoted market price. The carrying value and fair value of the securitized long-term debt as of March 31, 2024 is $89.3 million and $89.3 million.

10. Interim Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Information

The components of our net periodic pension cost for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented in the following tables. Most of these costs are recoverable through our tariff rates. A portion of these costs is capitalized into our rate base or deferred as a regulatory asset or liability. The remaining costs are recorded as a component of operation and maintenance expense or other non-operating expense.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2024, due to the retirement of an executive, we recognized a settlement charge of $0.8 million associated with our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and revalued the net periodic pension cost for the remainder of fiscal 2024. The revaluation of the net periodic pension cost for our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan resulted in a decrease in the discount rate, effective November 30, 2023, to 5.82% from 6.17%, which will decrease our net periodic pension cost by approximately $0.4 million for the remainder of the fiscal year.


	Three Months Ended March 31
	Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	2,405	$	2,908	$	1,507	$	1,546
Interest cost (1)	7,430		7,325		3,509		3,478
Expected return on assets (1)	(7,202)		(7,278)		(3,128)		(2,804)

Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (1)	—		(30)		(3,260)		(3,285)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss (1)	97		164		(2,718)		(1,863)

Net periodic pension cost	$	2,730	$	3,089	$	(4,090)	$	(2,928)



	Six Months Ended March 31
	Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	4,794	$	5,816	$	3,014	$	3,091
Interest cost (1)	14,926		14,650		7,017		6,955
Expected return on assets (1)	(14,404)		(14,556)		(6,256)		(5,608)

Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (1)	—		(61)		(6,520)		(6,571)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss (1)	215		329		(5,436)		(3,726)
Settlements (1)	776		—		—		—
Net periodic pension cost	$	6,307	$	6,178	$	(8,181)	$	(5,859)

(1) The components of net periodic cost other than the service cost component are included in the line item other non-operating expense in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income or are capitalized on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a regulatory asset or liability, as described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

11. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation and Environmental Matters

In the normal course of business, we are subject to various legal and regulatory proceedings. For such matters, we record liabilities when they are considered probable and estimable, based on currently available facts, our historical experience and our estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution of the liability in the future. While the outcome of these proceedings is uncertain and a loss in excess of the amount we have accrued is possible though not reasonably estimable, it is the opinion of management that any amounts exceeding the accruals will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a Preliminary Report on February 14, 2024 relating to its investigation of two incidents that occurred in Jackson, Mississippi on January 24 and 27, 2024 that resulted in one fatality. Atmos Energy is working closely with the NTSB and other state and federal regulators to help determine causal factors.

We are a party to various other litigation and environmental-related matters or claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. While the results of such litigation and response actions to such environmental-related matters or claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we continue to believe the final outcome of such litigation and matters or claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Purchase Commitments

Our distribution divisions maintain supply contracts with several vendors that generally cover a period of up to one year. Commitments for estimated base gas volumes are established under these contracts on a monthly basis at contractually negotiated prices. Commitments for incremental daily purchases are made as necessary during the month in accordance with the terms of the individual contract.

Our Mid-Tex Division also maintains a limited number of long-term supply contracts to ensure a reliable source of gas for our customers in its service area, which obligate it to purchase specified volumes at prices under contracts indexed to natural gas hubs or fixed price contracts. These purchase commitment contracts are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. At March 31, 2024, we were committed to purchase 82.2 Bcf within one year and 30.0 Bcf within two to three years under indexed contracts. At March 31, 2024, we had no commitments under fixed price contracts.

Rate Regulatory Proceedings

As of March 31, 2024, routine rate regulatory proceedings were in progress in several of our service areas, which are discussed in further detail below in Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Recent Ratemaking Developments. Except for these proceedings, there were no material changes to rate regulatory proceedings for the six months ended March 31, 2024.

12. Income Taxes

Income Tax Expense

Our interim effective tax rates reflect the estimated annual effective tax rates for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, adjusted for tax expense associated with certain discrete items. The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were 15.7% and 11.2% and for the six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were 15.3% and 11.1%. These effective tax rates differ from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to the amortization of excess deferred federal income tax liabilities, tax credits, state income taxes and other permanent book-to-tax differences. These adjustments have a relative impact on the effective tax rate proportionally to pretax income or loss.

Regulatory Excess Deferred Taxes

Regulatory excess net deferred taxes represent changes in our net deferred tax liability related to our cost of service ratemaking due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the TCJA) and a Kansas legislative change enacted in fiscal 2020. Currently, the regulatory excess net deferred tax liability of $263.4 million is being returned over various periods. Of this amount, $214.6 million is being returned to customers over 12 - 60 months. An additional $47.8 million is being returned to customers on a provisional basis over 15 - 69 years until our regulators establish the final refund periods. The refund of the remaining $1.0 million will be addressed in future rate proceedings.

As of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023, $98.7 million and $131.3 million is recorded in other current liabilities.

13. Financial Instruments

We currently use financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk and interest rate risk. The objectives and strategies for using financial instruments and the related accounting for these financial instruments are fully described in Notes 2 and 16 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. During the six months ended March 31, 2024, there were no material changes in our objectives, strategies and accounting for using financial instruments. Our financial instruments do not contain any credit-risk-related or other contingent features that could cause payments to be accelerated when our financial instruments are in net liability positions. The following summarizes those objectives and strategies.

Commodity Risk Management Activities

Our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms essentially insulate our distribution segment from commodity price risk; however, our customers are exposed to the effects of volatile natural gas prices. We manage this exposure through a combination of physical storage, fixed-price forward contracts and financial instruments, primarily over-the-counter swap and option contracts, in an effort to minimize the impact of natural gas price volatility on our customers during the winter heating season.

We typically seek to hedge between 25 and 50 percent of anticipated heating season gas purchases using financial instruments. For the 2023-2024 heating season (generally October through March), in the jurisdictions where we are permitted to utilize financial instruments, we hedged approximately 27.6 Bcf of the winter flowing gas requirements. We have not designated these financial instruments as hedges for accounting purposes.

Interest Rate Risk Management Activities

We manage interest rate risk by periodically entering into financial instruments to effectively fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings.

The following table summarizes our existing forward starting interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2024. These swaps were designated as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements were executed.



Planned Debt Issuance Date	Amount Hedged
	(In thousands)



Fiscal 2025	$	600,000
Fiscal 2026	300,000
	$	900,000

Quantitative Disclosures Related to Financial Instruments

The following tables present detailed information concerning the impact of financial instruments on our condensed consolidated balance sheet and statements of comprehensive income.

As of March 31, 2024, our financial instruments were comprised of both long and short commodity positions. A long position is a contract to purchase the commodity, while a short position is a contract to sell the commodity. As of March 31, 2024, we had 6,651 MMcf of net long commodity contracts outstanding. These contracts have not been designated as hedges.

Financial Instruments on the Balance Sheet

The following tables present the fair value and balance sheet classification of our financial instruments as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023. The gross amounts of recognized assets and liabilities are netted within our condensed consolidated balance sheets to the extent that we have netting arrangements with our counterparties. However, as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023, no gross amounts and no cash collateral were netted within our consolidated balance sheet.


		March 31, 2024
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities
		(In thousands)

Designated As Hedges:

Interest rate contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	258,622	$	—

Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	97,159		—
Total		355,781		—
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	1,320		(5,840)

Total		1,320		(5,840)
Gross / Net Financial Instruments		$	357,101	$	(5,840)


		September 30, 2023
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities
		(In thousands)

Designated As Hedges:



Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	$	379,101	$	—
Total		379,101		—
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	4,071		(14,584)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	2,492		(824)
Total		6,563		(15,408)
Gross / Net Financial Instruments		$	385,664	$	(15,408)

Impact of Financial Instruments on the Statement of Comprehensive Income

Cash Flow Hedges

As discussed above, our distribution segment has interest rate agreements, which we designated as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements were executed. The net (gain) loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest charges on our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $(3.2) million and $(0.7) million and for the six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $(6.4) million and $(1.4) million.

The following table summarizes the gains and losses arising from hedging transactions that were recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.


	Three Months Ended March 31				Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Increase (decrease) in fair value:
Interest rate agreements	$	29,650	$	(29,937)	$	(18,091)	$	(7,276)

Recognition of (gains) losses in earnings due to settlements:
Interest rate agreements	(2,492)		(530)		(4,983)		(1,060)

Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging, net of tax	$	27,158	$	(30,467)	$	(23,074)	$	(8,336)

Deferred gains (losses) recorded in AOCI associated with our interest rate agreements are recognized in earnings as they are amortized over the terms of the underlying debt instruments. As of March 31, 2024, we had $219.8 million of net realized gains in AOCI associated with our interest rate agreements. The following amounts, net of deferred taxes, represent the expected recognition in earnings of the deferred net gains recorded in AOCI associated with our interest rate agreements, based upon the fair values of these agreements at the date of settlement. The remaining amortization periods for these settled amounts extend through fiscal 2053. However, the table below does not include the expected recognition in earnings of our outstanding interest rate swaps as those instruments have not yet settled.


	Interest Rate Agreements
	(In thousands)
Next twelve months	$	9,965
Thereafter	209,850
Total	$	219,815

Financial Instruments Not Designated as Hedges

As discussed above, commodity contracts which are used in our distribution segment are not designated as hedges. However, there is no earnings impact on our distribution segment as a result of the use of these financial instruments because the gains and losses arising from the use of these financial instruments are recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as a component of purchased gas cost when the related costs are recovered through our rates and recognized in revenue. Accordingly, the impact of these financial instruments is excluded from this presentation.

14. Fair Value Measurements

We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We record cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and short-term debt at carrying value, which substantially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. For other financial assets and liabilities, we primarily use quoted market prices and other observable market pricing information to minimize the use of unobservable pricing inputs in our measurements when determining fair value. The methods used to determine fair value for our assets and liabilities are fully described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. During the six months ended March 31, 2024, there were no changes in these methods.

Fair value measurements also apply to the valuation of our pension and postretirement plan assets. Current accounting guidance requires employers to annually disclose information about fair value measurements of the assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The fair value of these assets is presented in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

Quantitative Disclosures

Financial Instruments

The classification of our fair value measurements requires judgment regarding the degree to which market data is observable or corroborated by observable market data. Authoritative accounting literature establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value based on observable and unobservable data. The hierarchy categorizes the inputs into three levels, with the highest priority given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and

liabilities (Level 1), with the lowest priority given to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The following tables summarize, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023. Assets and liabilities are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.


	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral		March 31, 2024
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	357,101	$	—	$	—	$	357,101
Debt and equity securities
Registered investment companies	28,076		—		—		—		28,076
Bond mutual funds	38,844		—		—		—		38,844
Bonds (2)	—		37,582		—		—		37,582
Money market funds	—		3,272		—		—		3,272
Total debt and equity securities	66,920		40,854		—		—		107,774
Total assets	$	66,920	$	397,955	$	—	$	—	$	464,875
Liabilities:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	5,840	$	—	$	—	$	5,840


	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	385,664	$	—	$	—	$	385,664
Debt and equity securities
Registered investment companies	26,685		—		—		—		26,685
Bond mutual funds	37,573		—		—		—		37,573
Bonds (2)	—		35,507		—		—		35,507
Money market funds	—		4,837		—		—		4,837
Total debt and equity securities	64,258		40,344		—		—		104,602
Total assets	$	64,258	$	426,008	$	—	$	—	$	490,266
Liabilities:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	15,408	$	—	$	—	$	15,408

(1)Our Level 2 measurements consist of over-the-counter options and swaps, which are valued using a market-based approach in which observable market prices are adjusted for criteria specific to each instrument, such as the strike price, notional amount or basis differences, municipal and corporate bonds, which are valued based on the most recent available quoted market prices and money market funds that are valued at cost.

(2)Our investments in bonds are considered available-for-sale debt securities in accordance with current accounting guidance.

Debt and equity securities are comprised of our available-for-sale debt securities and our equity securities. As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, we evaluate the performance of our available-for-sale debt securities on an investment by investment basis for impairment, taking into consideration the investment’s purpose, volatility, current returns and any intent to sell the security. As of March 31, 2024, no allowance for credit losses was recorded for our available-for-sale debt securities. At March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the amortized cost of our available-for-sale debt securities was $37.7 million and $36.0 million. At March 31, 2024, we maintained investments in bonds that have contractual maturity dates ranging from April 2024 through April 2027.

Other Fair Value Measures

Our long-term debt is recorded at carrying value. The fair value of our long-term debt, excluding finance leases, is determined using third party market value quotations, which are considered Level 1 fair value measurements for debt instruments with a recent, observable trade or Level 2 fair value measurements for debt instruments where fair value is determined using the most recent available quoted market price. The carrying value of our finance leases materially approximates fair value. The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our long-term debt, excluding finance leases, debt issuance costs and original issue premium or discount, as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023:


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Carrying Amount	$	7,460,000	$	6,560,000
Fair Value	$	6,762,617	$	5,402,591

15. Concentration of Credit Risk

Information regarding our concentration of credit risk is disclosed in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. During the six months ended March 31, 2024, there were no material changes in our concentration of credit risk.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Atmos Energy Corporation

Results of Review of Interim Financial Statements

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Atmos Energy Corporation (the Company) as of March 31, 2024, the related condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "condensed consolidated interim financial statements"). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of September 30, 2023, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (not presented herein); and in our report dated November 14, 2023, we expressed an unqualified audit opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2023, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

Basis for Review Results

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the PCAOB. We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial statements consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Dallas, Texas

May 8, 2024


Item 2.			Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

INTRODUCTION

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Management’s Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023.

Cautionary Statement for the Purposes of the Safe Harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Report are forward-looking statements made in good faith by us and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Report, or any other of our documents or oral presentations, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “goal”, “intend”, “objective”, “plan”, “projection”, “seek”, “strategy” or similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements relating to our strategy, operations, markets, services, rates, recovery of costs, availability of gas supply and other factors. These risks and uncertainties include the following: federal, state and local regulatory and political trends and decisions, including the impact of rate proceedings before various state regulatory commissions; increased federal regulatory oversight and potential penalties; possible increased federal, state and local regulation of the safety of our operations; possible significant costs and liabilities resulting from pipeline integrity and other similar programs and related repairs; the inherent hazards and risks involved in distributing, transporting and storing natural gas; the availability and accessibility of contracted gas supplies, interstate pipeline and/or storage services; increased competition from energy suppliers and alternative forms of energy; failure to attract and retain a qualified workforce; natural disasters, terrorist activities or other events and other risks and uncertainties discussed herein, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control; increased dependence on technology that may hinder the Company's business if such technologies fail; the threat of cyber-attacks or acts of cyber-terrorism that could disrupt our business operations and information technology systems or result in the loss or exposure of confidential or sensitive customer, employee or Company information; the impact of new cybersecurity compliance requirements; adverse weather conditions; the impact of greenhouse gas emissions or other legislation or regulations intended to address climate change; the impact of climate change; the capital-intensive nature of our business; our ability to continue to access the credit and capital markets to execute our business strategy; market risks beyond our control affecting our risk management activities, including commodity price volatility, counterparty performance or creditworthiness and interest rate risk; the concentration of our operations in Texas; the impact of adverse economic conditions on our customers; changes in the availability and price of natural gas; and increased costs of providing health care benefits, along with pension and postretirement health care benefits and increased funding requirements. Accordingly, while we believe these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the expectations derived from them will be realized. Further, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

OVERVIEW

Atmos Energy and our subsidiaries are engaged in the regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline and storage businesses. We distribute natural gas through sales and transportation arrangements to over 3.3 million residential, commercial, public authority and industrial customers throughout our six distribution divisions, which at March 31, 2024 covered service areas located in eight states. In addition, we transport natural gas for others through our distribution and pipeline systems.

We manage and review our consolidated operations through the following reportable segments:

•The distribution segment is primarily comprised of our regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations in eight states.

•The pipeline and storage segment is comprised primarily of the pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline-Texas division and our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES

Our condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We based our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the allowance for doubtful accounts, legal and environmental accruals, insurance accruals, pension and postretirement obligations, deferred income taxes and the valuation of goodwill and other long-lived assets. Actual results may differ from such estimates.

Our critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 and include the following:

•Regulation

•Pension and other postretirement plans

•Impairment assessments

Our critical accounting policies are reviewed periodically by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. There were no significant changes to these critical accounting policies during the six months ended March 31, 2024.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Executive Summary

Atmos Energy strives to operate our businesses safely and reliably while delivering superior financial results. Our commitment to modernizing our natural gas distribution and transmission systems requires a significant level of capital spending. We have the ability to begin recovering a significant portion of these investments timely through rate designs and mechanisms that reduce or eliminate regulatory lag and separate the recovery of our approved rate from customer usage patterns. The execution of our capital spending program, the ability to recover these investments timely and our ability to access the capital markets to satisfy our financing needs are the primary drivers that affect our financial performance.

During the six months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded net income of $743.3 million, or $4.93 per diluted share, compared to net income of $629.5 million, or $4.40 per diluted share for the six months ended March 31, 2023.

The 18 percent year-over-year increase in net income largely reflects positive rate outcomes driven by safety and reliability spending and lower bad debt expense. Additionally, our fiscal 2024 year to date results were favorably impacted by $14.7 million as a result of legislation that became effective during the first quarter of fiscal 2024 to reduce property tax expenses in Texas. These increases were partially offset by increased depreciation expense and higher interest expense.

During the six months ended March 31, 2024, we implemented, or received approval to implement, ratemaking regulatory actions which resulted in an increase in annual operating income of $165.4 million. Additionally, as of March 31, 2024, we had ratemaking efforts in progress seeking a total increase in annual operating income of $178.8 million.

Capital expenditures for the six months ended March 31, 2024 were $1,415.5 million. Approximately 81 percent was invested to improve the safety and reliability of our distribution and transportation systems, with a significant portion of this investment incurred under regulatory mechanisms that reduce lag to six months or less.

During the six months ended March 31, 2024, we completed approximately $1.2 billion of long-term debt and equity financing. As of March 31, 2024, our equity capitalization was 60.9 percent. As of March 31, 2024, we had approximately $4.2 billion in total liquidity, consisting of $262.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, $889.7 million in funds available through equity forward sales agreements and $3,094.4 million in undrawn capacity under our credit facilities.

The following discusses the results of operations for each of our operating segments.

Distribution Segment

The distribution segment is primarily comprised of our regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations in eight states. The primary factors that impact the results of this segment are our ability to earn our authorized rates of return, competitive factors in the energy industry and economic conditions in our service areas.

Our ability to earn our authorized rates of return is based primarily on our ability to improve the rate design in our various ratemaking jurisdictions to minimize regulatory lag and, ultimately, separate the recovery of our approved rates from customer usage patterns. Improving rate design is a long-term process and is further complicated by the fact that we operate in multiple rate jurisdictions. Under our current rate design, approximately 70 percent of our distribution segment revenues are earned through the first six months of the fiscal year. Additionally, we currently recover approximately 50 percent of our distribution

segment revenue, excluding gas costs, through the base customer charge, which partially separates the recovery of our approved rate from customer usage patterns.

Seasonal weather patterns can also affect our distribution operations. However, the effect of weather that is above or below normal is substantially offset through weather normalization adjustments, known as WNA, which have been approved by state regulatory commissions for approximately 96 percent of our residential and commercial revenues in the following states for the following time periods:



Kansas, West Texas			October — May
Tennessee			October — April
Kentucky, Mississippi, Mid-Tex			November — April
Louisiana			December — March
Virginia			January — December

Our distribution operations are also affected by the cost of natural gas. We are generally able to pass the cost of gas through to our customers without markup under purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms; therefore, increases in the cost of gas are offset by a corresponding increase in revenues. Revenues in our Texas and Mississippi service areas include franchise fees and gross receipts taxes, which are calculated as a percentage of revenue (inclusive of gas costs). Therefore, the amount of these taxes included in revenues is influenced by the cost of gas and the level of gas sales volumes. We record the associated tax expense as a component of taxes, other than income.

The cost of gas typically does not have a direct impact on our operating income because these costs are recovered through our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms. However, higher gas costs may adversely impact our accounts receivable collections, resulting in higher bad debt expense. This risk is currently mitigated by rate design that allows us to collect from our customers the gas cost portion of our bad debt expense on approximately 88 percent of our residential and commercial revenues. Additionally, higher gas costs may require us to increase borrowings under our credit facilities, resulting in higher interest expense. Finally, higher gas costs, as well as competitive factors in the industry and general economic conditions may cause customers to conserve or, in the case of industrial consumers, to use alternative energy sources.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

Financial and operational highlights for our distribution segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented below.


	Three Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		Change
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Operating revenues	$	1,589,181	$	1,500,210	$	88,971
Purchased gas cost	788,643		809,023		(20,380)

Operating expenses	374,348		355,863		18,485
Operating income	426,190		335,324		90,866
Other non-operating income	9,359		7,465		1,894
Interest charges	36,784		21,420		15,364
Income before income taxes	398,765		321,369		77,396

Income tax expense	56,073		32,895		23,178
Net income	$	342,692	$	288,474	$	54,218
Consolidated distribution sales volumes — MMcf	131,537		117,731		13,806
Consolidated distribution transportation volumes — MMcf	44,693		43,377		1,316
Total consolidated distribution throughput — MMcf	176,230		161,108		15,122

Consolidated distribution average cost of gas per Mcf sold	$	6.00	$	6.87	$	(0.87)

Operating income for our distribution segment increased 27.1 percent. Key drivers for the change in operating income include:

•a $90.6 million increase in rate adjustments, primarily in our Mid-Tex Division.

•a $10.7 million increase in consumption, net of WNA.

•a $6.5 million increase related to residential customer growth, primarily in our Mid-Tex Division, and increased industrial load.

•a $3.8 million decrease in property taxes, which is inclusive of a $6.4 million decrease related to the Texas property tax legislation discussed above.

Partially offset by:

•a $15.1 million increase in depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments.

•an $8.7 million increase in refunds of excess deferred taxes to customers, which is substantially offset in income tax expense.

Interest charges increased $15.4 million primarily due to the amortization of the Texas regulatory asset that is discussed in Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. However, this increase is offset by a corresponding increase in revenue resulting in no impact to net income.

The following table shows our operating income by distribution division, in order of total rate base, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The presentation of our distribution operating income is included for financial reporting purposes and may not be appropriate for ratemaking purposes.


	Three Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		Change
	(In thousands)
Mid-Tex	$	238,093	$	163,604	$	74,489
Kentucky/Mid-States	42,375		37,303		5,072
Louisiana	37,070		33,329		3,741
West Texas	39,890		35,543		4,347
Mississippi	47,357		42,556		4,801
Colorado-Kansas	25,359		23,852		1,507
Other	(3,954)		(863)		(3,091)
Total	$	426,190	$	335,324	$	90,866

Six Months Ended March 31, 2024 compared with Six Months Ended March 31, 2023

Financial and operational highlights for our distribution segment for the six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented below.



	Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		Change
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Operating revenues	$	2,694,519	$	2,940,636	$	(246,117)
Purchased gas cost	1,285,305		1,690,938		(405,633)

Operating expenses	702,543		682,618		19,925
Operating income	706,671		567,080		139,591
Other non-operating income	15,198		14,239		959
Interest charges	71,365		44,259		27,106
Income before income taxes	650,504		537,060		113,444

Income tax expense	86,375		54,118		32,257
Net income	$	564,129	$	482,942	$	81,187
Consolidated distribution sales volumes — MMcf	214,253		217,809		(3,556)
Consolidated distribution transportation volumes — MMcf	85,193		83,977		1,216
Total consolidated distribution throughput — MMcf	299,446		301,786		(2,340)

Consolidated distribution average cost of gas per Mcf sold	$	6.00	$	7.76	$	(1.76)

Operating income for our distribution segment increased 24.6 percent. Key drivers for the change in operating income include:

•a $155.2 million increase in rate adjustments, primarily in our Mid-Tex Division.

•a $12.4 million increase related to residential customer growth, primarily in our Mid-Tex Division, and increased industrial load.

•a $13.3 million decrease in bad debt expense, as discussed in Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

•an $8.1 million increase due to lower line locate spending and timing of other activities.

•a $2.9 million decrease in property taxes, which is inclusive of an $11.0 million decrease related to the Texas property tax legislation discussed above.

•a $2.2 million increase in consumption, net of WNA.

Partially offset by:

•a $29.1 million increase in depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments.

•a $17.5 million increase in refunds of excess deferred taxes to customers, which is substantially offset in income tax expense.

•a $16.1 million increase in other operation and maintenance expense primarily due to higher employee-related and other administrative costs.

Interest charges increased $27.1 million primarily due to the issuance of long-term debt during the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase in interest charges is also due to the amortization of the Texas regulatory asset that is discussed in Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. However, this increase is offset by a corresponding increase in revenue resulting in no impact to net income.

The following table shows our operating income by distribution division, in order of total rate base, for the six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The presentation of our distribution operating income is included for financial reporting purposes and may not be appropriate for ratemaking purposes.



	Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		Change
	(In thousands)
Mid-Tex	$	381,207	$	277,532	$	103,675
Kentucky/Mid-States	69,434		65,488		3,946
Louisiana	63,509		58,677		4,832
West Texas	65,910		56,749		9,161
Mississippi	91,301		69,605		21,696
Colorado-Kansas	41,464		38,819		2,645
Other	(6,154)		210		(6,364)
Total	$	706,671	$	567,080	$	139,591

Recent Ratemaking Developments

The amounts described in the following sections represent the operating income that was requested or received in each rate filing, which may not necessarily reflect the stated amount referenced in the final order, as certain operating costs may have changed as a result of a commission’s or other governmental authority’s final ruling. During the first six months of fiscal 2024, we implemented, or received approval to implement, regulatory proceedings, resulting in a $138.4 million increase in annual operating income as summarized below. Our ratemaking outcomes include the refund (return) of excess deferred income taxes (EDIT) resulting from previously enacted tax reform legislation and do not reflect the true economic benefit of the outcomes because they do not include the corresponding income tax benefit. Excluding these amounts, our total rate outcomes for ratemaking activities for the six months ended March 31, 2024 were $137.1 million.


Rate Action	Annual Increase (Decrease) in Operating Income		EDIT Impact		Annual Increase (Decrease) in Operating Income Excluding EDIT
	(In thousands)
Annual formula rate mechanisms	$	136,935	$	(399)	$	136,536
Rate case filings	2,434		(939)		1,495
Other rate activity	(971)		—		(971)
	$	138,398	$	(1,338)	$	137,060

The following ratemaking efforts seeking $96.4 million in increased annual operating income were in progress as of March 31, 2024:

Division

Rate Action

Jurisdiction

Operating Income Requested

(In thousands)

Colorado-Kansas

Infrastructure Mechanism

Kansas (1)

708

Kentucky/Mid-States

Formula Rate Mechanism

Tennessee

19,544

Mid-Tex

Formula Rate Mechanism

City of Dallas

40,429

Mid-Tex

Infrastructure Mechanism

ATM Cities

17,104

Mid-Tex

Infrastructure Mechanism

Environs

8,530

West Texas

Infrastructure Mechanism

Environs

1,400

West Texas

Infrastructure Mechanism

Amarillo, Lubbock, Dalhart and Channing

7,344

West Texas

Infrastructure Mechanism

WTX Triangle

1,300

96,359

(1) The Kansas Corporation Commission approved the SIP filing on March 19, 2024, with rates effective April 1, 2024.

Annual Formula Rate Mechanisms

As an instrument to reduce regulatory lag, formula rate mechanisms allow us to refresh our rates on an annual basis without filing a formal rate case. However, these filings still involve discovery by the appropriate regulatory authorities prior to the final determination of rates under these mechanisms. We currently have formula rate mechanisms in our Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee operations and in substantially all the service areas in our Texas divisions. Additionally, we have specific infrastructure programs in substantially all of our distribution divisions with tariffs in place to permit the investment associated with these programs to have their surcharge rate adjusted annually to recover approved capital costs incurred in a prior test-year period. The following table summarizes our annual formula rate mechanisms by state:

Annual Formula Rate Mechanisms

State

Infrastructure Programs

Formula Rate Mechanisms

Colorado

System Safety and Integrity Rider (SSIR)

—

Kansas

Gas System Reliability Surcharge (GSRS), System Integrity Program (SIP)

—

Kentucky

Pipeline Replacement Program (PRP)

—

Louisiana

(1)

Rate Stabilization Clause (RSC)

Mississippi

System Integrity Rider (SIR)

Stable Rate Filing (SRF)

Tennessee

(1)

Annual Rate Mechanism (ARM)

Texas

Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP), (1)

Dallas Annual Rate Review (DARR), Rate Review Mechanism (RRM)

Virginia

Steps to Advance Virginia Energy (SAVE)

—

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

The following annual formula rate mechanisms were approved during the six months ended March 31, 2024:


Division	Jurisdiction	Test Year Ended	Increase in Annual Operating Income		EDIT Impact		Increase in Annual Operating Income Excluding EDIT		Effective Date
			(In thousands)
2024 Filings:














Colorado-Kansas	Colorado SSIR	12/31/2024	$	2,017	$	—	$	2,017	01/01/2024


Mississippi	Mississippi - SIR	10/31/2024	10,969		—		10,969		12/01/2023
Mississippi	Mississippi - SRF	10/31/2024	11,539		(472)		11,067		12/01/2023
Colorado-Kansas	Kansas GSRS	09/30/2023	1,752		—		1,752		11/02/2023
Kentucky/Mid-States	Kentucky PRP	09/30/2024	2,906		—		2,906		10/01/2023
Mid-Tex	Mid-Tex Cities RRM	12/31/2022	98,585		185		98,770		10/01/2023
West Texas	West Texas Cities RRM	12/31/2022	8,594		(112)		8,482		10/01/2023
Kentucky/Mid-States	Virginia - SAVE	09/30/2024	573		—		573		10/01/2023

Total 2024 Filings			$	136,935	$	(399)	$	136,536

Rate Case Filings

A rate case is a formal request from Atmos Energy to a regulatory authority to increase rates that are charged to our customers. Rate cases may also be initiated when the regulatory authorities request us to justify our rates. This process is referred to as a “show cause” action. Adequate rates are intended to provide for recovery of the Company’s costs as well as a fair rate of return and ensure that we continue to deliver reliable, reasonably priced natural gas service safely to our customers. The following table summarizes the rate cases completed in our distribution segment during the six months ended March 31, 2024.



Division	State	Increase in Annual Operating Income		EDIT Impact		Increase in Annual Operating Income Excluding EDIT		Effective Date
		(In thousands)
2024 Rate Case Filings:




Kentucky/Mid-States	Virginia (1)	$	2,434	$	(939)	$	1,495	12/01/2023
Total 2024 Rate Case Filings		$	2,434	$	(939)	$	1,495

(1) On March 20, 2024, an administrative law judge in Virginia recommended approval of the settlement agreement with rates implemented December 1, 2023, subject to final commissioner approval.

Other Ratemaking Activity

The following table summarizes other ratemaking activity during the six months ended March 31, 2024.

Division

Jurisdiction

Rate Activity

Decrease in
Annual
Operating
Income

Effective
Date

(In thousands)

2024 Other Rate Activity:

Colorado-Kansas

Kansas

Ad Valorem (1)

(971)

02/01/2024

Total 2024 Other Rate Activity

(971)

(1) The Ad Valorem filing relates to property taxes that are either over or undercollected compared to the amount included in our Kansas service area's base rate.

Pipeline and Storage Segment

Our pipeline and storage segment consists of the pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline–Texas Division (APT) and our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana. APT is one of the largest intrastate pipeline operations in Texas with a heavy concentration in the established natural gas producing areas of central, northern and eastern Texas, extending into or near the major producing areas of the Barnett Shale, the Texas Gulf Coast and the Permian Basin of West Texas. APT provides transportation and storage services to our Mid-Tex Division, other third-party local distribution companies, industrial and electric generation customers, as well as marketers and producers. Over 80 percent of this segment’s revenues are derived from these APT services. As part of its pipeline operations, APT owns and operates five underground storage facilities in Texas.

Our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana are comprised of a 21-mile pipeline located in the New Orleans, Louisiana area that is primarily used to aggregate gas supply for our distribution division in Louisiana under a long-term contract and, on a more limited basis, to third parties. The demand fee charged to our Louisiana distribution division for these services is subject to regulatory approval by the Louisiana Public Service Commission. We also manage two asset management plans, which have been approved by applicable state regulatory commissions. Generally, these asset management plans require us to share with our distribution customers a significant portion of the cost savings earned from these arrangements.

Our pipeline and storage segment is impacted by seasonal weather patterns, competitive factors in the energy industry and economic conditions in our Texas and Louisiana service areas. Natural gas prices do not directly impact the results of this segment as revenues are derived from the transportation and storage of natural gas. However, natural gas prices and demand for natural gas could influence the level of drilling activity in the supply areas that we serve, which may influence the level of throughput we may be able to transport on our pipelines. Further, natural gas price differences between the various hubs that we serve in Texas could influence the volumes of gas transported for shippers through our Texas pipeline system and rates for such transportation.

The results of APT are also significantly impacted by the natural gas requirements of its local distribution company customers. Additionally, its operations may be impacted by the timing of when costs and expenses are incurred and when these costs and expenses are recovered through its tariffs.

APT annually uses GRIP to recover capital costs incurred in the prior calendar year. On February 27, 2024, APT made a GRIP filing that covered changes in net property, plant and equipment investments from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 with a requested increase in operating income of $82.4 million.

GRIP also requires a utility to file a statement of intent at least once every five years to review its costs and expenses, including capital costs filed for recovery under GRIP. On May 19, 2023, APT filed a statement of intent seeking $107.4 million in additional annual operating income. On December 13, 2023, the RRC approved the settlement agreement between APT and the intervening parties for an increase in annual operating income of $27.0 million, exclusive of the impact of the cessation of $36.9 million in excess deferred income tax refunds, which are substantially offset by a corresponding increase in income taxes. New rates were implemented effective December 13, 2023.

The demand fee our Louisiana natural gas transmission pipeline charges to our Louisiana distribution division increases five percent annually and has been approved by the Louisiana Public Service Commission until September 30, 2027.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

Financial and operational highlights for our pipeline and storage segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented below.


	Three Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		Change
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Mid-Tex / Affiliate transportation revenue	$	172,241	$	146,774	$	25,467
Third-party transportation revenue	49,233		36,868		12,365

Other revenue	2,013		782		1,231
Total operating revenues	223,487		184,424		39,063
Total purchased gas cost	840		621		219

Operating expenses	97,847		96,489		1,358
Operating income	124,800		87,314		37,486
Other non-operating income	7,328		9,941		(2,613)
Interest charges	18,658		15,950		2,708
Income before income taxes	113,470		81,305		32,165

Income tax expense	24,139		12,108		12,031
Net income	$	89,331	$	69,197	$	20,134
Gross pipeline transportation volumes — MMcf	219,709		202,667		17,042
Consolidated pipeline transportation volumes — MMcf	136,902		125,673		11,229

Operating income for our pipeline and storage segment increased 42.9 percent. Key drivers for the change in operating income include:

•a $17.0 million increase primarily due to rate adjustments from the rate case completed in December 2023.

•a $7.1 million increase in APT's through-system activities primarily associated with increased spreads.

•a $9.3 million decrease in refunds of excess deferred taxes to customers, which is substantially offset in income tax expense.

•a $2.0 million decrease in property taxes, which is inclusive of a $2.6 million decrease related to the Texas property tax legislation discussed above.

Six Months Ended March 31, 2024 compared with Six Months Ended March 31, 2023

Financial and operational highlights for our pipeline and storage segment for the six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented below.



	Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		Change
	(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Mid-Tex / Affiliate transportation revenue	$	337,131	$	293,005	$	44,126
Third-party transportation revenue	92,506		74,947		17,559
Other revenue	5,019		3,101		1,918
Total operating revenues	434,656		371,053		63,603
Total purchased gas cost	844		(237)		1,081

Operating expenses	190,388		194,546		(4,158)
Operating income	243,424		176,744		66,680
Other non-operating income	19,375		24,358		(4,983)
Interest charges	35,952		29,871		6,081
Income before income taxes	226,847		171,231		55,616

Income tax expense	47,661		24,642		23,019
Net income	$	179,186	$	146,589	$	32,597
Gross pipeline transportation volumes — MMcf	428,981		408,911		20,070
Consolidated pipeline transportation volumes — MMcf	290,436		267,749		22,687

Operating income for our pipeline and storage segment increased 37.7 percent. Key drivers for the change in operating income include:

•a $36.5 million increase primarily due to rate adjustments from the GRIP filing approved in May 2023 and the rate case approved in December 2023.

•an $11.8 million increase primarily due to a decrease in pipeline inspection spending.

•a $7.9 million net increase in APT's through-system activities primarily associated with increased spreads.

•a $9.3 million decrease in refunds of excess deferred taxes to customers, which is substantially offset in income tax expense.

•a $2.6 million decrease in property taxes, which is inclusive of a $3.7 million decrease related to the Texas property tax legislation discussed above.

Partially offset by:

•a $6.3 million increase in depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The liquidity required to fund our working capital, capital expenditures and other cash needs is provided from a combination of internally generated cash flows and external debt and equity financing. Additionally, we have a $1.5 billion commercial paper program and four committed revolving credit facilities with $3.1 billion in total availability from third-party lenders. The commercial paper program and credit facilities provide cost-effective, short-term financing until it can be replaced with a balance of long-term debt and equity financing that achieves the Company's desired capital structure. Additionally, we have various uncommitted trade credit lines with our gas suppliers that we utilize to purchase natural gas on a monthly basis.

We have a shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that allows us to issue up to $5.0 billion in common stock and/or debt securities, which expires March 31, 2026. As of March 31, 2024, $3.1 billion of securities were available for issuance under this shelf registration statement.

We also have an at-the-market (ATM) equity sales program under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock up to an aggregate offering price of $1.0 billion through March 31, 2026 (including shares of common stock that may be sold pursuant to forward sale agreements entered into in connection with the ATM equity sales program), which expires March 31, 2026. As of March 31, 2024, $81.6 million of equity was available for issuance under our existing ATM equity sales program. On May 8, 2024, we plan to file a new ATM equity sales program under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock up to an aggregate offering price of $1.0 billion (including shares of common stock that may be sold pursuant to forward sale agreements entered into in connection with the ATM equity sales program). Additionally, as of March 31, 2024, we had $889.7 million in available proceeds from outstanding forward sale agreements. Additional details are summarized in Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The liquidity provided by these sources is expected to be sufficient to fund the Company's working capital needs and capital expenditure program for the remainder of fiscal year 2024. Additionally, we expect to continue to be able to obtain financing upon reasonable terms as necessary.

The following table summarizes our existing forward starting interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2024.



Planned Debt Issuance Date	Amount Hedged		Effective Interest Rate
	(In thousands)

Fiscal 2025	$	600,000	1.75	%
Fiscal 2026	300,000		2.16	%
	$	900,000

The following table presents our capitalization inclusive of short-term debt and the current portion of long-term debt as of March 31, 2024, September 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023:


	March 31, 2024				September 30, 2023				March 31, 2023
	(In thousands, except percentages)
Short-term debt	$	—	—	%	$	241,933	1.4	%	$	—	—	%
Long-term debt (1)	7,446,446		39.1	%	6,555,701		37.1	%	6,554,609		39.1	%
Shareholders’ equity	11,618,639		60.9	%	10,870,064		61.5	%	10,205,205		60.9	%
Total	$	19,065,085	100.0	%	$	17,667,698	100.0	%	$	16,759,814	100.0	%

(1) Inclusive of our finance leases, but exclusive of AEK's securitized long-term debt.

Cash Flows

Our internally generated funds may change in the future due to a number of factors, some of which we cannot control. These factors include regulatory changes, the price for our services, demand for such products and services, margin requirements resulting from significant changes in commodity prices, operational risks and other factors.

Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented below.


	Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		Change
	(In thousands)
Total cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities	$	991,873	$	2,892,716	$	(1,900,843)
Investing activities	(1,409,264)		(1,410,390)		1,126
Financing activities	661,912		(1,438,705)		2,100,617
Change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents	244,521		43,621		200,900
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	19,248		51,554		(32,306)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	263,769	$	95,175	$	168,594

Cash flows from operating activities

For the six months ended March 31, 2024, we generated cash flow from operating activities of $991.9 million compared with $2,892.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2023. Operating cash flow decreased $1,900.8 million primarily due to the receipt of $2.02 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2023 related to Texas securitization activities.

Cash flows from investing activities

Our capital expenditures are primarily used to improve the safety and reliability of our distribution and transmission system through pipeline replacement and system modernization and to enhance and expand our system to meet customer needs. Over the last three fiscal years, approximately 87 percent of our capital spending has been committed to improving the safety and reliability of our system.

For the six months ended March 31, 2024, cash used for investing activities was $1,409.3 million compared to $1,410.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2023. Capital spending in our distribution segment increased $203.6 million, primarily as a result of increased system modernization and customer growth spending. Capital spending in our pipeline and storage segment decreased $203.4 million primarily due to timing of spending for pipeline system safety and reliability in Texas.

Cash flows from financing activities

For the six months ended March 31, 2024, our financing activities provided $661.9 million of cash compared with $1,438.7 million of cash used by financing activities in the prior-year period.

In the six months ended March 31, 2024, we received approximately $1.2 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and equity. We completed a public offering of $500 million of 6.20% senior notes due October 2053 and $400 million of 5.90% senior notes due October 2033, and received net proceeds from the offering, after the underwriting discount and offering expenses, of $889.4 million. Additionally, during the six months ended March 31, 2024, we settled 2,144,558 shares that had been sold on a forward basis for net proceeds of $254.0 million. The net proceeds were used primarily to support capital spending and for other general corporate purposes. Cash dividends increased due to an 8.8 percent increase in our dividend rate and an increase in shares outstanding.

In the six months ended March 31, 2023, we repaid $2.2 billion in long-term debt, and we received approximately $1.2 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and equity. We completed a public offering of $500 million of 5.75% senior notes due October 2052 and $300 million of 5.45% senior notes due October 2032, and received net proceeds from the offering, after the underwriting discount and offering expenses, of $789.4 million. Additionally, during the six months ended March 31, 2023, we settled 3,394,919 shares that had been sold on a forward basis for net proceeds of $359.7 million. The net proceeds were used primarily to support capital spending and for other general corporate purposes. Cash dividends increased due to an 8.8 percent increase in our dividend rate and an increase in shares outstanding.

The following table summarizes our share issuances for the six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:


	Six Months Ended March 31
	2024	2023
Shares issued:
Direct Stock Purchase Plan	31,742	32,933
1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan	169,218	123,912
Retirement Savings Plan and Trust	36,251	36,288

Equity Issuance	2,144,558	3,394,919
Total shares issued	2,381,769	3,588,052

Credit Ratings

Our credit ratings directly affect our ability to obtain short-term and long-term financing, in addition to the cost of such financing. In determining our credit ratings, the rating agencies consider a number of quantitative factors, including but not limited to, debt to total capitalization, operating cash flow relative to outstanding debt, operating cash flow coverage of interest and pension liabilities. In addition, the rating agencies consider qualitative factors such as consistency of our earnings over time, the quality of our management and business strategy, the risks associated with our businesses and the regulatory structures that govern our rates in the states where we operate.

Our debt is rated by two rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Corporation (S&P) and Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s). On April 1, 2024, Moody's reaffirmed its long-term and short-term credit ratings and placed our ratings under negative outlook. Currently, our outlook and debt ratings, which are all considered investment grade, are as follows:

S&P

Moody’s

Senior unsecured long-term debt

A-

Short-term debt

A-2

P-1

Outlook

Stable

Negative

A significant degradation in our operating performance or a significant reduction in our liquidity caused by more limited access to the private and public credit markets as a result of deteriorating global or national financial and credit conditions could trigger a negative change in our ratings outlook or even a reduction in our credit ratings by the two credit rating agencies. This would mean more limited access to the private and public credit markets and an increase in the costs of such borrowings.

A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The highest investment grade credit rating is AAA for S&P and Aaa for Moody’s. The lowest investment grade credit rating is BBB- for S&P and Baa3 for Moody’s. Our credit ratings may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the rating agencies, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. There can be no assurance that a rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered, or withdrawn entirely, by a rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant.

Debt Covenants

We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of March 31, 2024. Our debt covenants are described in greater detail in Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Except as noted in Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, there were no significant changes in our contractual obligations and commercial commitments during the six months ended March 31, 2024.

Risk Management Activities

In our distribution and pipeline and storage segments, we use a combination of physical storage, fixed physical contracts and fixed financial contracts to reduce our exposure to unusually large winter-period gas price increases. Additionally, we manage interest rate risk by periodically entering into financial instruments to effectively fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings.

The following table shows the components of the change in fair value of our financial instruments for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:


	Three Months Ended March 31				Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Fair value of contracts at beginning of period	$	299,271	$	375,816	$	370,256	$	377,862
Contracts realized/settled	(14,774)		(9,189)		(34,103)		(2,867)
Fair value of new contracts	153		1,655		385		(38)
Other changes in value	66,611		(32,292)		14,723		(38,967)
Fair value of contracts at end of period	351,261		335,990		351,261		335,990
Netting of cash collateral	—		—		—		—
Cash collateral and fair value of contracts at period end	$	351,261	$	335,990	$	351,261	$	335,990

The fair value of our financial instruments at March 31, 2024 is presented below by time period and fair value source:


	Fair Value of Contracts at March 31, 2024
	Maturity in Years
Source of Fair Value	Less Than 1		1-3		4-5		Greater Than 5		Total Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Prices actively quoted	$	254,102	$	97,159	$	—	$	—	$	351,261
Prices based on models and other valuation methods	—		—		—		—		—
Total Fair Value	$	254,102	$	97,159	$	—	$	—	$	351,261

OPERATING STATISTICS AND OTHER INFORMATION

The following tables present certain operating statistics for our distribution and pipeline and storage segments for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Distribution Sales and Statistical Data


	Three Months Ended March 31		Six Months Ended March 31
	2024	2023	2024	2023
METERS IN SERVICE, end of period
Residential	3,100,162	3,178,308	3,100,162	3,178,308
Commercial	257,952	282,948	257,952	282,948
Industrial	1,511	1,645	1,511	1,645
Public authority and other	8,046	8,148	8,046	8,148
Total meters	3,367,671	3,471,049	3,367,671	3,471,049

INVENTORY STORAGE BALANCE — Bcf	45.4	40.5	45.4	40.5
SALES VOLUMES — MMcf (1)
Gas sales volumes
Residential	78,701	68,281	126,013	126,821
Commercial	42,244	38,885	69,160	69,393
Industrial	7,846	8,082	14,539	16,990
Public authority and other	2,746	2,483	4,541	4,605
Total gas sales volumes	131,537	117,731	214,253	217,809
Transportation volumes	46,676	45,401	88,968	87,845
Total throughput	178,213	163,132	303,221	305,654

Pipeline and Storage Operations Sales and Statistical Data


	Three Months Ended March 31		Six Months Ended March 31
	2024	2023	2024	2023
CUSTOMERS, end of period
Industrial	94	95	94	95
Other	189	206	189	206
Total	283	301	283	301

INVENTORY STORAGE BALANCE — Bcf	0.9	0.3	0.9	0.3
PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION VOLUMES — MMcf (1)	219,709	202,667	428,981	408,911

Note to preceding tables:

(1)Sales and transportation volumes reflect segment operations, including intercompany sales and transportation amounts.

RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

Recent accounting developments, if any, and their impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows are described in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.


Item 3.			Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Information regarding our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are disclosed in Item 7A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. During the six months ended March 31, 2024, there were no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk.


Item 4.			Controls and Procedures

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2024 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us, including our consolidated entities, in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, including a reasonable level of assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We did not make any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the second quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.			Legal Proceedings

During the six months ended March 31, 2024, except as noted in Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, there were no material changes in the status of the litigation and other matters that were disclosed in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. We continue to believe that the final outcome of such litigation and other matters or claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.


Item 1A.			Risk Factors

There were no material changes from the risk factors disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023.


Item 5.			Other Information

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement," as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.


Item 6.			Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report.


Exhibit Number	Description	Page Number or Incorporation by Reference to
3.1	Restated Articles of Incorporation of Atmos Energy Corporation - Texas (As Amended Effective February 3, 2010)	Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2010 (File No. 1-10042)
3.2	Restated Articles of Incorporation of Atmos Energy Corporation - Virginia (As Amended Effective February 3, 2010)	Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2010 (File No. 1-10042)
3.3	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Atmos Energy Corporation (as of August 4, 2023)	Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K dated August 1, 2023 (File No. 1-10042)
10.1	Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2024, among Atmos Energy Corporation, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as the Administrative Agent, the agents, arrangers and bookrunners named therein, and the lenders named therein	Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated March 28, 2024 (File No. 1-10042)
10.2	Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2024, among Atmos Energy Corporation, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as the Administrative Agent, the agents, arrangers and bookrunners named therein, and the lenders named therein	Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K dated March 28, 2024 (File No. 1-10042)
15	Letter regarding unaudited interim financial information
31	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
32	Section 1350 Certifications*
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document - the Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
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*			These certifications, which were made pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, furnished as Exhibit 32 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, will not be deemed to be filed with the Commission or incorporated by reference into any filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates such certifications by reference.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


									ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION (Registrant)
									By: /s/ CHRISTOPHER T. FORSYTHE
									Christopher T. Forsythe Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Duly authorized signatory)

Date: May 8, 2024

Exhibit 15

Board of Directors and Shareholders of Atmos Energy Corporation

Atmos Energy Corporation

We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Form S-3, No. 33-37869; Form S-3, No. 33-58220; Form S-3D/A, No. 33-70212; Form S-3, No. 33-56915; Form S-3/A, No. 333-03339; Form S-3/A, No. 333-32475; Form S-3, No. 333-95525; Form S-3D, No. 333-113603; Form S-3D, No. 333-155666; Form S-3D, No. 333-208317; Form S-3ASR, No. 333-271038; Form S-4, No. 333-13429; Form S-8, No. 33-57687; Form S-8, No. 33-57695; Form S-8, No. 333-32343; Form S-8, No. 333-46337; Form S-8, No. 333-73143; Form S-8, No. 333-73145; Form S-8, No. 333-63738; Form S-8, No. 333-88832; Form S-8, No. 333-116367; Form S-8, No. 333-138209; Form S-8, No. 333-145817; Form S-8, No. 333-155570; Form S-8, No. 333-166639; Form S-8, No. 333-177593; Form S-8, No. 333-199301; Form S-8, No. 333-210461; and Form S-8, No. 333-217739) of Atmos Energy Corporation and in the related Prospectuses of our report dated May 8, 2024, relating to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Atmos Energy Corporation, which are included in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Dallas, Texas

May 8, 2024

EXHIBIT 31

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATIONS

I, John K. Akers, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Atmos Energy Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 8, 2024


/s/ JOHN K. AKERS
John K. Akers
President and
Chief Executive Officer

I, Christopher T. Forsythe, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Atmos Energy Corporation;

(a) All significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 8, 2024


/s/ CHRISTOPHER T. FORSYTHE
Christopher T. Forsythe
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Atmos Energy Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, John K. Akers, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

May 8, 2024


/s/ JOHN K. AKERS
John K. Akers
President and
Chief Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement has been provided to Atmos Energy Corporation and will be retained by Atmos Energy Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Atmos Energy Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Christopher T. Forsythe, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

May 8, 2024


/s/ CHRISTOPHER T. FORSYTHE
Christopher T. Forsythe
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
Cover Page - shares	Mar. 31, 2024	May 03, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2024
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-10042
Entity Registrant Name	Atmos Energy Corp
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	TX
Entity Tax Identification Number	75-1743247
Entity Address, Address Line One	1800 Three Lincoln Centre
Entity Address, Address Line Two	5430 LBJ Freeway
Entity Address, City or Town	Dallas
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	75240
City Area Code	972
Local Phone Number	934-9227
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock
Trading Symbol	ATO
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		150,877,056
Entity Central Index Key	0000731802
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2024
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment	$ 24,283,917	$ 22,898,374
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	3,469,354	3,291,791
Net property, plant and equipment	20,814,563	19,606,583
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	262,497	15,404
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	1,272	3,844
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents	263,769	19,248
Accounts receivable, net	596,433	328,654
Gas stored underground	144,128	245,830
Other current assets	428,105	292,036
Total current assets	1,432,435	885,768
Securitized intangible asset, net (See Note 9)	87,279	92,202
Goodwill	731,257	731,257
Deferred charges and other assets	939,106	1,201,158
Total assets	24,004,640	22,516,968
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, no par value (stated at $0.005 per share); 200,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: March 31, 2024 — 150,874,552 shares; September 30, 2023 — 148,492,783 shares	754	742
Additional paid-in capital	6,953,761	6,684,120
Accumulated other comprehensive income	495,700	518,528
Retained earnings	4,168,424	3,666,674
Shareholders’ equity	11,618,639	10,870,064
Long-term debt, net	7,444,855	6,554,133
Securitized long-term debt (See Note 9)	81,261	85,078
Total capitalization	19,144,755	17,509,275
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	367,887	336,083
Other current liabilities	677,706	763,086
Short-term debt	0	241,933
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,591	1,568
Current maturities of securitized long-term debt (See Note 9)	8,001	9,922
Total current liabilities	1,055,185	1,352,592
Deferred income taxes	2,486,024	2,304,974
Regulatory excess deferred taxes	216,284	253,212
Regulatory cost of removal obligation	506,860	497,017
Deferred credits and other liabilities	595,532	599,898
Total capitalization and liabilities	$ 24,004,640	$ 22,516,968

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock stated value (USD per share)	$ 0.005	$ 0.005
Common stock authorized (in shares)	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock issued (in shares)	150,874,552	148,492,783
Common stock outstanding (in shares)	150,874,552	148,492,783

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Operating revenues	$ 1,647,227	$ 1,540,973	$ 2,805,694	$ 3,024,982
Purchased gas cost	624,295	666,211	963,164	1,404,460
Operation and maintenance expense	199,899	194,716	366,244	379,732
Depreciation and amortization expense	165,087	148,317	329,695	294,337
Taxes, other than income	106,956	109,091	196,496	202,629
Operating income	550,990	422,638	950,095	743,824
Other non-operating income	16,687	17,406	34,573	38,597
Interest charges	55,442	37,370	107,317	74,130
Income before income taxes	512,235	402,674	877,351	708,291
Income tax expense	80,212	45,003	134,036	78,760
Net income	$ 432,023	$ 357,671	$ 743,315	$ 629,531
Basic net income per share (USD per share)	$ 2.85	$ 2.48	$ 4.93	$ 4.40
Diluted net income per share (USD per share)	2.85	2.48	4.93	4.40
Cash dividends per share (USD per share)	$ 0.805	$ 0.740	$ 1.61	$ 1.48
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	151,271	143,941	150,534	142,881
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	151,297	143,987	150,547	142,963
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	$ (50)	$ 134	$ 246	$ 221
Cash flow hedges:
Amortization and unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate agreements, net of tax	27,158	(30,467)	(23,074)	(8,336)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	27,108	(30,333)	(22,828)	(8,115)
Total comprehensive income	459,131	327,338	720,487	621,416
Distribution segment
Operating revenues	1,588,394	1,499,437	2,693,013	2,939,130
Pipeline and storage segment
Operating revenues	58,833	41,536	112,681	85,852
Operating Segments \| Distribution segment
Operating revenues	1,589,181	1,500,210	2,694,519	2,940,636
Purchased gas cost	788,643	809,023	1,285,305	1,690,938
Operation and maintenance expense	154,956	151,353	282,571	287,822
Depreciation and amortization expense	121,384	106,310	241,069	211,974
Taxes, other than income	98,008	98,200	178,903	182,822
Operating income	426,190	335,324	706,671	567,080
Other non-operating income	9,359	7,465	15,198	14,239
Interest charges	36,784	21,420	71,365	44,259
Income before income taxes	398,765	321,369	650,504	537,060
Income tax expense	56,073	32,895	86,375	54,118
Net income	342,692	288,474	564,129	482,942
Operating Segments \| Pipeline and storage segment
Operating revenues	223,487	184,424	434,656	371,053
Purchased gas cost	840	621	844	(237)
Operation and maintenance expense	45,196	43,591	84,169	92,376
Depreciation and amortization expense	43,703	42,007	88,626	82,363
Taxes, other than income	8,948	10,891	17,593	19,807
Operating income	124,800	87,314	243,424	176,744
Other non-operating income	7,328	9,941	19,375	24,358
Interest charges	18,658	15,950	35,952	29,871
Income before income taxes	113,470	81,305	226,847	171,231
Income tax expense	24,139	12,108	47,661	24,642
Net income	89,331	69,197	179,186	146,589
Intersegment eliminations
Operating revenues	(165,441)	(143,661)	(323,481)	(286,707)
Purchased gas cost	(165,188)	(143,433)	(322,985)	(286,241)
Operation and maintenance expense	(253)	(228)	(496)	(466)
Depreciation and amortization expense	0	0	0	0
Taxes, other than income	0	0	0	0
Operating income	0	0	0	0
Other non-operating income	0	0	0	0
Interest charges	0	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net income	0	0	0	0
Intersegment eliminations \| Distribution segment
Operating revenues	787	773	1,506	1,506
Intersegment eliminations \| Pipeline and storage segment
Operating revenues	$ 164,654	$ 142,888	$ 321,975	$ 285,201

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, tax	$ (15)	$ 39	$ 71	$ 64
Amortization and unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate agreements, net	$ 7,850	$ (8,806)	$ (6,669)	$ (2,409)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$ 743,315	$ 629,531
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	329,695	294,337
Deferred income taxes	110,098	59,060
Other	(28,023)	(27,496)
Net assets / liabilities from risk management activities	1,683	(1,482)
Net change in Winter Storm Uri current regulatory asset	0	2,021,889
Net change in other operating assets and liabilities	(164,895)	(83,123)
Net cash provided by operating activities	991,873	2,892,716
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(1,415,526)	(1,415,349)
Debt and equity securities activities, net	(1,010)	(4,560)
Other, net	7,272	9,519
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,409,264)	(1,410,390)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Net decrease in short-term debt	(241,933)	(184,967)
Net proceeds from equity issuances	254,022	359,683
Issuance of common stock through stock purchase and employee retirement plans	7,771	7,910
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	898,275	797,258
Proceeds from term loan	0	2,020,000
Repayment of term loan	0	(2,020,000)
Repayment of long-term debt	0	(2,200,000)
Repayment of securitized debt	(5,738)	0
Cash dividends paid	(241,565)	(210,725)
Debt issuance costs	(8,920)	(7,864)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	661,912	(1,438,705)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents	244,521	43,621
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	19,248	51,554
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 263,769	$ 95,175

Nature of Business	6 Months Ended
Nature of Business	Mar. 31, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of Business	Nature of Business Atmos Energy Corporation (“Atmos Energy” or the “Company”) and its subsidiaries are engaged in the regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline and storage businesses. Our distribution business is subject to federal and state regulation and/or regulation by local authorities in each of the states in which our regulated divisions and subsidiaries operate. Our distribution business delivers natural gas through sales and transportation arrangements to over 3.3 million residential, commercial, public authority and industrial customers through our six regulated distribution divisions, which at March 31, 2024, covered service areas located in eight states. Our pipeline and storage business, which is also subject to federal and state regulations, includes the transportation of natural gas to our Texas and Louisiana distribution systems and the management of our underground storage facilities used to support our distribution business in various states.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Mar. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation These consolidated interim-period financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States on the same basis as those used for the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation have been made to the unaudited consolidated interim-period financial statements. These consolidated interim-period financial statements are condensed as permitted by the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Atmos Energy Corporation included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. Because of seasonal and other factors, the results of operations for the six-month period ended March 31, 2024 are not indicative of our results of operations for the full 2024 fiscal year, which ends September 30, 2024. Significant accounting policies Our accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, we completed our annual goodwill impairment assessment using a qualitative assessment, as permitted under U.S. GAAP. We test for goodwill at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit. Based on the assessment performed, we determined that our goodwill was not impaired. No events have occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date that would require recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Recently issued accounting pronouncements In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance which provides updates to qualitative and quantitative reportable segment disclosure requirements, including enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and increased interim disclosure requirements, among others. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted, and the amendments should be applied retrospectively. This amendment will be effective for our Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 and our Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. We are currently evaluating the impact this may have on our financial statement disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued guidance which provides qualitative and quantitative updates to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disclosures, among others, in order to enhance the transparency of income tax disclosures, including consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and disaggregation by jurisdiction of income taxes paid. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments should be applied prospectively; however, retrospective application is also permitted. This amendment will be effective for our Form 10-K for fiscal 2026. We are currently evaluating the impact this amendment may have on our financial statement disclosures.

Regulation

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Regulated Operations [Abstract]

Regulation

Regulatory assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023 included the following:


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	$	16,174	$	20,629
Infrastructure mechanisms (1)	210,795		229,996
Winter Storm Uri incremental costs	15,510		32,115

Deferred gas costs	25,928		148,297
Regulatory excess deferred taxes (2)	51,654		47,549
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	3,154		3,238
Deferred pipeline record collection costs	66,535		54,008


Other	15,618		19,096
	$	405,368	$	554,928
Regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory excess deferred taxes (2)	$	315,020	$	384,513

Regulatory cost of removal obligation	594,815		582,867
Deferred gas costs	57,680		23,093

APT annual adjustment mechanism	40,233		49,894
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	205,718		215,913
Other	35,315		28,054
	$	1,248,781	$	1,284,334

Securitization

Kansas

See Note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for securitization and other information related to Atmos Energy Kansas Securitization I, LLC (AEK).

Texas

Segment Information

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

We manage and review our consolidated operations through the following reportable segments:

•The distribution segment is primarily comprised of our regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations in eight states.

•The pipeline and storage segment is comprised primarily of the pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline-Texas division and our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana.

Income statements and capital expenditures for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 by segment are presented in the following tables:


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,588,394	$	58,833	$	—	$	1,647,227
Intersegment revenues	787		164,654		(165,441)		—
Total operating revenues	1,589,181		223,487		(165,441)		1,647,227
Purchased gas cost	788,643		840		(165,188)		624,295
Operation and maintenance expense	154,956		45,196		(253)		199,899
Depreciation and amortization expense	121,384		43,703		—		165,087
Taxes, other than income	98,008		8,948		—		106,956
Operating income	426,190		124,800		—		550,990
Other non-operating income	9,359		7,328		—		16,687
Interest charges	36,784		18,658		—		55,442
Income before income taxes	398,765		113,470		—		512,235
Income tax expense	56,073		24,139		—		80,212
Net income	$	342,692	$	89,331	$	—	$	432,023
Capital expenditures	$	532,997	$	112,879	$	—	$	645,876


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,499,437	$	41,536	$	—	$	1,540,973
Intersegment revenues	773		142,888		(143,661)		—
Total operating revenues	1,500,210		184,424		(143,661)		1,540,973
Purchased gas cost	809,023		621		(143,433)		666,211
Operation and maintenance expense	151,353		43,591		(228)		194,716
Depreciation and amortization expense	106,310		42,007		—		148,317
Taxes, other than income	98,200		10,891		—		109,091
Operating income	335,324		87,314		—		422,638
Other non-operating income	7,465		9,941		—		17,406
Interest charges	21,420		15,950		—		37,370
Income before income taxes	321,369		81,305		—		402,674
Income tax expense	32,895		12,108		—		45,003
Net income	$	288,474	$	69,197	$	—	$	357,671
Capital expenditures	$	424,989	$	194,700	$	—	$	619,689



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	2,693,013	$	112,681	$	—	$	2,805,694
Intersegment revenues	1,506		321,975		(323,481)		—
Total operating revenues	2,694,519		434,656		(323,481)		2,805,694
Purchased gas cost	1,285,305		844		(322,985)		963,164
Operation and maintenance expense	282,571		84,169		(496)		366,244
Depreciation and amortization expense	241,069		88,626		—		329,695
Taxes, other than income	178,903		17,593		—		196,496
Operating income	706,671		243,424		—		950,095
Other non-operating income	15,198		19,375		—		34,573
Interest charges	71,365		35,952		—		107,317
Income before income taxes	650,504		226,847		—		877,351
Income tax expense	86,375		47,661		—		134,036
Net income	$	564,129	$	179,186	$	—	$	743,315
Capital expenditures	$	1,072,155	$	343,371	$	—	$	1,415,526



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	2,939,130	$	85,852	$	—	$	3,024,982
Intersegment revenues	1,506		285,201		(286,707)		—
Total operating revenues	2,940,636		371,053		(286,707)		3,024,982
Purchased gas cost	1,690,938		(237)		(286,241)		1,404,460
Operation and maintenance expense	287,822		92,376		(466)		379,732
Depreciation and amortization expense	211,974		82,363		—		294,337
Taxes, other than income	182,822		19,807		—		202,629
Operating income	567,080		176,744		—		743,824
Other non-operating income	14,239		24,358		—		38,597
Interest charges	44,259		29,871		—		74,130
Income before income taxes	537,060		171,231		—		708,291
Income tax expense	54,118		24,642		—		78,760
Net income	$	482,942	$	146,589	$	—	$	629,531
Capital expenditures	$	868,533	$	546,816	$	—	$	1,415,349

Balance sheet information at March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023 by segment is presented in the following tables:


	March 31, 2024
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net property, plant and equipment	$	15,346,551	$	5,468,012	$	—	$	20,814,563
Total assets	$	23,212,086	$	5,776,113	$	(4,983,559)	$	24,004,640


	September 30, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net property, plant and equipment	$	14,402,578	$	5,204,005	$	—	$	19,606,583
Total assets	$	21,716,467	$	5,504,972	$	(4,704,471)	$	22,516,968

Earnings Per Share

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are calculated as follows:


	Three Months Ended March 31				Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic Earnings Per Share
Net income	$	432,023	$	357,671	$	743,315	$	629,531
Less: Income allocated to participating securities	255		212		442		381
Income available to common shareholders	$	431,768	$	357,459	$	742,873	$	629,150
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	151,271		143,941		150,534		142,881
Net income per share — Basic	$	2.85	$	2.48	$	4.93	$	4.40
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Income available to common shareholders	$	431,768	$	357,459	$	742,873	$	629,150
Effect of dilutive shares	—		—		—		—
Income available to common shareholders	$	431,768	$	357,459	$	742,873	$	629,150
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	151,271		143,941		150,534		142,881
Dilutive shares	26		46		13		82
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	151,297		143,987		150,547		142,963
Net income per share — Diluted	$	2.85	$	2.48	$	4.93	$	4.40

Revenue and Accounts Receivable

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue and Accounts Receivable

Revenue


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024				Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Distribution		Pipeline and Storage
	(In thousands)
Gas sales revenues:
Residential	$	1,065,296	$	—	$	943,090	$	—
Commercial	404,701		—		398,812		—
Industrial	30,419		—		45,044		—
Public authority and other	21,120		—		22,686		—
Total gas sales revenues	1,521,536		—		1,409,632		—
Transportation revenues	37,607		223,159		33,511		190,248
Miscellaneous revenues	3,724		2,162		2,662		1,152
Revenues from contracts with customers	1,562,867		225,321		1,445,805		191,400
Alternative revenue program revenues	22,315		(1,834)		53,910		(6,976)
Other revenues	3,999		—		495		—
Total operating revenues	$	1,589,181	$	223,487	$	1,500,210	$	184,424



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2024				Six Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Distribution		Pipeline and Storage
	(In thousands)
Gas sales revenues:
Residential	$	1,792,978	$	—	$	1,896,141	$	—
Commercial	681,954		—		787,479		—
Industrial	58,650		—		104,259		—
Public authority and other	35,704		—		45,512		—
Total gas sales revenues	2,569,286		—		2,833,391		—
Transportation revenues	71,374		438,464		65,673		385,500
Miscellaneous revenues	6,367		5,204		4,944		3,874
Revenues from contracts with customers	2,647,027		443,668		2,904,008		389,374
Alternative revenue program revenues	39,716		(9,012)		35,588		(18,321)
Other revenues	7,776		—		1,040		—
Total operating revenues	$	2,694,519	$	434,656	$	2,940,636	$	371,053

Accounts receivable and allowance for uncollectible accounts


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, December 31, 2023	$	35,406
Current period provisions	12,797
Write-offs charged against allowance	(5,859)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	361

Ending balance, March 31, 2024	$	42,705


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, December 31, 2022	$	47,613
Current period provisions	13,009
Write-offs charged against allowance	(8,333)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	462
Ending balance, March 31, 2023	$	52,751



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2024
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, September 30, 2023	$	40,840
Current period provisions	19,547
Write-offs charged against allowance	(14,616)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	1,126
Mississippi recovery of uncollectible accounts	(4,192)
Ending balance, March 31, 2024	$	42,705



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2023
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, September 30, 2022	$	49,993
Current period provisions	20,242
Write-offs charged against allowance	(18,754)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	1,270
Ending balance, March 31, 2023	$	52,751

Debt

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

Long-term debt at March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023 consisted of the following:


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Unsecured 3.00% Senior Notes, due June 2027	$	500,000	$	500,000
Unsecured 2.625% Senior Notes, due September 2029	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 1.50% Senior Notes, due January 2031	600,000		600,000
Unsecured 5.45% Senior Notes, due October 2032	300,000		300,000
Unsecured 5.90% Senior Notes, due October 2033	400,000		—
Unsecured 5.95% Senior Notes, due October 2034	200,000		200,000
Unsecured 5.50% Senior Notes, due June 2041	400,000		400,000
Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes, due January 2043	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 4.125% Senior Notes, due October 2044	750,000		750,000
Unsecured 4.30% Senior Notes, due October 2048	600,000		600,000
Unsecured 4.125% Senior Notes, due March 2049	450,000		450,000
Unsecured 3.375% Senior Notes, due September 2049	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 2.85% Senior Notes, due February 2052	600,000		600,000
Unsecured 5.75% Senior Notes, due October 2052	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 6.20% Senior Notes, due October 2053	500,000		—
Medium-term note Series A, 1995-1, 6.67%, due December 2025	10,000		10,000
Unsecured 6.75% Debentures, due July 2028	150,000		150,000
Finance lease obligations	49,670		50,393
Total long-term debt	7,509,670		6,610,393
Less:
Original issue discount on unsecured senior notes and debentures	7,617		6,104
Debt issuance cost	55,607		48,588
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,591		1,568
Total long-term debt, net	$	7,444,855	$	6,554,133

Short-term debt

outstanding under our commercial paper program. At September 30, 2023, there was $241.9 million outstanding under our commercial paper program.

Debt covenants

Shareholders' Equity

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Equity [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity

The following tables present a reconciliation of changes in stockholders' equity for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.


	Common stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Retained Earnings		Total
	Number of Shares	Stated Value
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Balance, September 30, 2023	148,492,783	$	742	$	6,684,120	$	518,528	$	3,666,674	$	10,870,064
Net income	—	—		—		—		311,292		311,292
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		(49,936)		—		(49,936)


Cash dividends ($0.805 per share)	—	—		—		—		(119,898)		(119,898)

Common stock issued:
Public and other stock offerings	2,177,864	11		257,757		—		—		257,768
Stock-based compensation plans	163,750	1		3,918		—		—		3,919
Balance, December 31, 2023	150,834,397	754		6,945,795		468,592		3,858,068		11,273,209
Net income	—	—		—		—		432,023		432,023
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		27,108		—		27,108


Cash dividends ($0.805 per share)	—	—		—		—		(121,667)		(121,667)

Common stock issued:
Public and other stock offerings	34,687	—		4,025		—		—		4,025
Stock-based compensation plans	5,468	—		3,941		—		—		3,941
Balance, March 31, 2024	150,874,552	$	754	$	6,953,761	$	495,700	$	4,168,424	$	11,618,639


	Common stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Retained Earnings		Total
	Number of Shares	Stated Value
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Balance, September 30, 2022	140,896,598	$	704	$	5,838,118	$	369,112	$	3,211,157	$	9,419,091
Net income	—	—		—		—		271,860		271,860
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		22,218		—		22,218


Cash dividends ($0.74 per share)	—	—		—		—		(104,552)		(104,552)

Common stock issued:
Public and other stock offerings	2,147,210	11		223,768		—		—		223,779
Stock-based compensation plans	111,953	1		3,877		—		—		3,878
Balance, December 31, 2022	143,155,761	716		6,065,763		391,330		3,378,465		9,836,274
Net income	—	—		—		—		357,671		357,671
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		(30,333)		—		(30,333)


Cash dividends ($0.74 per share)	—	—		—		—		(106,173)		(106,173)

Common stock issued:
Public and other stock offerings	1,316,930	6		143,808		—		—		143,814
Stock-based compensation plans	11,959	—		3,952		—		—		3,952
Balance, March 31, 2023	144,484,650	$	722	$	6,213,523	$	360,997	$	3,629,963	$	10,205,205

Shelf Registration, At-the-Market Equity Sales Program and Equity Issuances



Maturity	Shares Available	Net Proceeds Available (In thousands)		Forward Price
September 30, 2024	861,655	$	101,838	$	118.19
December 31, 2024	2,176,974	251,971		$	115.74
June 30, 2025	4,695,737	535,871		$	114.12
Total	7,734,366	$	889,680	$	115.03

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)


	Available- for-Sale Securities		Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges		Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2023	$	(369)	$	518,897	$	518,528
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	246		(18,091)		(17,845)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—		(4,983)		(4,983)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	246		(23,074)		(22,828)

March 31, 2024	$	(123)	$	495,823	$	495,700


	Available- for-Sale Securities		Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges		Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2022	$	(495)	$	369,607	$	369,112
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	221		(7,276)		(7,055)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—		(1,060)		(1,060)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	221		(8,336)		(8,115)

March 31, 2023	$	(274)	$	361,271	$	360,997

Variable Interest Entity

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Variable Interest Entity

AEK is considered to be a variable interest entity. As a result, AEK is included in the condensed consolidated financial statements of Atmos Energy.

The following table summarizes the impact of AEK on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, for the periods indicated:


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$	1,272	$	3,844
Other current assets	$	2	$	11
Securitized intangible asset, net	$	87,279	$	92,202
Accrued interest	$	383	$	1,374
Current maturities of securitized long-term debt	$	8,001	$	9,922
Securitized long-term debt	$	81,261	$	85,078

The following table summarizes the impact of AEK on our condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, for the period indicated:


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024		Six Months Ended March 31, 2024

Operating revenues	$	3,469	$	6,802
Operation and maintenance expense	(224)		(224)
Amortization expense	(2,103)		(4,269)
Interest expense, net	(1,142)		(2,309)
Income before income taxes	$	—	$	—

Interim Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Information

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Retirement Benefits, Description [Abstract]

Interim Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Information


	Three Months Ended March 31
	Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	2,405	$	2,908	$	1,507	$	1,546
Interest cost (1)	7,430		7,325		3,509		3,478
Expected return on assets (1)	(7,202)		(7,278)		(3,128)		(2,804)

Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (1)	—		(30)		(3,260)		(3,285)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss (1)	97		164		(2,718)		(1,863)

Net periodic pension cost	$	2,730	$	3,089	$	(4,090)	$	(2,928)



	Six Months Ended March 31
	Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	4,794	$	5,816	$	3,014	$	3,091
Interest cost (1)	14,926		14,650		7,017		6,955
Expected return on assets (1)	(14,404)		(14,556)		(6,256)		(5,608)

Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (1)	—		(61)		(6,520)		(6,571)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss (1)	215		329		(5,436)		(3,726)
Settlements (1)	776		—		—		—
Net periodic pension cost	$	6,307	$	6,178	$	(8,181)	$	(5,859)

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Litigation and Environmental Matters In the normal course of business, we are subject to various legal and regulatory proceedings. For such matters, we record liabilities when they are considered probable and estimable, based on currently available facts, our historical experience and our estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution of the liability in the future. While the outcome of these proceedings is uncertain and a loss in excess of the amount we have accrued is possible though not reasonably estimable, it is the opinion of management that any amounts exceeding the accruals will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a Preliminary Report on February 14, 2024 relating to its investigation of two incidents that occurred in Jackson, Mississippi on January 24 and 27, 2024 that resulted in one fatality. Atmos Energy is working closely with the NTSB and other state and federal regulators to help determine causal factors. We are a party to various other litigation and environmental-related matters or claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. While the results of such litigation and response actions to such environmental-related matters or claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we continue to believe the final outcome of such litigation and matters or claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Purchase Commitments Our distribution divisions maintain supply contracts with several vendors that generally cover a period of up to one year. Commitments for estimated base gas volumes are established under these contracts on a monthly basis at contractually negotiated prices. Commitments for incremental daily purchases are made as necessary during the month in accordance with the terms of the individual contract. Our Mid-Tex Division also maintains a limited number of long-term supply contracts to ensure a reliable source of gas for our customers in its service area, which obligate it to purchase specified volumes at prices under contracts indexed to natural gas hubs or fixed price contracts. These purchase commitment contracts are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. At March 31, 2024, we were committed to purchase 82.2 Bcf within one year and 30.0 Bcf within two to three years under indexed contracts. At March 31, 2024, we had no commitments under fixed price contracts. Rate Regulatory Proceedings As of March 31, 2024, routine rate regulatory proceedings were in progress in several of our service areas, which are discussed in further detail below in Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Recent Ratemaking Developments. Except for these proceedings, there were no material changes to rate regulatory proceedings for the six months ended March 31, 2024.

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Mar. 31, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income Tax Expense Our interim effective tax rates reflect the estimated annual effective tax rates for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, adjusted for tax expense associated with certain discrete items. The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were 15.7% and 11.2% and for the six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were 15.3% and 11.1%. These effective tax rates differ from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to the amortization of excess deferred federal income tax liabilities, tax credits, state income taxes and other permanent book-to-tax differences. These adjustments have a relative impact on the effective tax rate proportionally to pretax income or loss. Regulatory Excess Deferred Taxes Regulatory excess net deferred taxes represent changes in our net deferred tax liability related to our cost of service ratemaking due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the TCJA) and a Kansas legislative change enacted in fiscal 2020. Currently, the regulatory excess net deferred tax liability of $263.4 million is being returned over various periods. Of this amount, $214.6 million is being returned to customers over 12 - 60 months. An additional $47.8 million is being returned to customers on a provisional basis over 15 - 69 years until our regulators establish the final refund periods. The refund of the remaining $1.0 million will be addressed in future rate proceedings. As of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023, $98.7 million and $131.3 million is recorded in other current liabilities.

Financial Instruments

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Financial Instruments

Commodity Risk Management Activities

Interest Rate Risk Management Activities

We manage interest rate risk by periodically entering into financial instruments to effectively fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings.

The following table summarizes our existing forward starting interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2024. These swaps were designated as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements were executed.



Planned Debt Issuance Date	Amount Hedged
	(In thousands)



Fiscal 2025	$	600,000
Fiscal 2026	300,000
	$	900,000

Quantitative Disclosures Related to Financial Instruments

The following tables present detailed information concerning the impact of financial instruments on our condensed consolidated balance sheet and statements of comprehensive income.

Financial Instruments on the Balance Sheet


		March 31, 2024
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities
		(In thousands)

Designated As Hedges:

Interest rate contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	258,622	$	—

Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	97,159		—
Total		355,781		—
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	1,320		(5,840)

Total		1,320		(5,840)
Gross / Net Financial Instruments		$	357,101	$	(5,840)


		September 30, 2023
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities
		(In thousands)

Designated As Hedges:



Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	$	379,101	$	—
Total		379,101		—
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	4,071		(14,584)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	2,492		(824)
Total		6,563		(15,408)
Gross / Net Financial Instruments		$	385,664	$	(15,408)

Impact of Financial Instruments on the Statement of Comprehensive Income

Cash Flow Hedges


	Three Months Ended March 31				Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Increase (decrease) in fair value:
Interest rate agreements	$	29,650	$	(29,937)	$	(18,091)	$	(7,276)

Recognition of (gains) losses in earnings due to settlements:
Interest rate agreements	(2,492)		(530)		(4,983)		(1,060)

Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging, net of tax	$	27,158	$	(30,467)	$	(23,074)	$	(8,336)


	Interest Rate Agreements
	(In thousands)
Next twelve months	$	9,965
Thereafter	209,850
Total	$	219,815

Financial Instruments Not Designated as Hedges

Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Quantitative Disclosures

Financial Instruments


	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral		March 31, 2024
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	357,101	$	—	$	—	$	357,101
Debt and equity securities
Registered investment companies	28,076		—		—		—		28,076
Bond mutual funds	38,844		—		—		—		38,844
Bonds (2)	—		37,582		—		—		37,582
Money market funds	—		3,272		—		—		3,272
Total debt and equity securities	66,920		40,854		—		—		107,774
Total assets	$	66,920	$	397,955	$	—	$	—	$	464,875
Liabilities:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	5,840	$	—	$	—	$	5,840


	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	385,664	$	—	$	—	$	385,664
Debt and equity securities
Registered investment companies	26,685		—		—		—		26,685
Bond mutual funds	37,573		—		—		—		37,573
Bonds (2)	—		35,507		—		—		35,507
Money market funds	—		4,837		—		—		4,837
Total debt and equity securities	64,258		40,344		—		—		104,602
Total assets	$	64,258	$	426,008	$	—	$	—	$	490,266
Liabilities:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	15,408	$	—	$	—	$	15,408

(2)Our investments in bonds are considered available-for-sale debt securities in accordance with current accounting guidance.

Other Fair Value Measures


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Carrying Amount	$	7,460,000	$	6,560,000
Fair Value	$	6,762,617	$	5,402,591

Concentration of Credit Risk	6 Months Ended
Concentration of Credit Risk	Mar. 31, 2024
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk Information regarding our concentration of credit risk is disclosed in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. During the six months ended March 31, 2024, there were no material changes in our concentration of credit risk.

Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Net income	$ 432,023	$ 311,292	$ 357,671	$ 271,860	$ 743,315	$ 629,531

Insider Trading Arrangements	3 Months Ended
Insider Trading Arrangements	Mar. 31, 2024
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Recently issued accounting pronouncements	Recently issued accounting pronouncements In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance which provides updates to qualitative and quantitative reportable segment disclosure requirements, including enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and increased interim disclosure requirements, among others. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted, and the amendments should be applied retrospectively. This amendment will be effective for our Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 and our Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. We are currently evaluating the impact this may have on our financial statement disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued guidance which provides qualitative and quantitative updates to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disclosures, among others, in order to enhance the transparency of income tax disclosures, including consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and disaggregation by jurisdiction of income taxes paid. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments should be applied prospectively; however, retrospective application is also permitted. This amendment will be effective for our Form 10-K for fiscal 2026. We are currently evaluating the impact this amendment may have on our financial statement disclosures.
Earnings per share	Earnings Per ShareWe use the two-class method of computing earnings per share because we have participating securities in the form of non-vested restricted stock units with a nonforfeitable right to dividend equivalents, for which vesting is predicated solely on the passage of time. The calculation of earnings per share using the two-class method excludes income attributable to these participating securities from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those shares from the denominator. Basic weighted average shares outstanding is calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Also, this calculation includes fully vested stock awards that have not yet been issued as common stock.
Fair value measurement	Fair Value Measurements We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We record cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and short-term debt at carrying value, which substantially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. For other financial assets and liabilities, we primarily use quoted market prices and other observable market pricing information to minimize the use of unobservable pricing inputs in our measurements when determining fair value. The methods used to determine fair value for our assets and liabilities are fully described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. During the six months ended March 31, 2024, there were no changes in these methods.

Regulation (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Regulated Operations [Abstract]

Schedule of Regulatory Assets

Regulatory assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023 included the following:


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	$	16,174	$	20,629
Infrastructure mechanisms (1)	210,795		229,996
Winter Storm Uri incremental costs	15,510		32,115

Deferred gas costs	25,928		148,297
Regulatory excess deferred taxes (2)	51,654		47,549
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	3,154		3,238
Deferred pipeline record collection costs	66,535		54,008


Other	15,618		19,096
	$	405,368	$	554,928
Regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory excess deferred taxes (2)	$	315,020	$	384,513

Regulatory cost of removal obligation	594,815		582,867
Deferred gas costs	57,680		23,093

APT annual adjustment mechanism	40,233		49,894
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	205,718		215,913
Other	35,315		28,054
	$	1,248,781	$	1,284,334

Schedule of Regulatory Liabilities

Regulatory assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023 included the following:


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Regulatory assets:
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	$	16,174	$	20,629
Infrastructure mechanisms (1)	210,795		229,996
Winter Storm Uri incremental costs	15,510		32,115

Deferred gas costs	25,928		148,297
Regulatory excess deferred taxes (2)	51,654		47,549
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt	3,154		3,238
Deferred pipeline record collection costs	66,535		54,008


Other	15,618		19,096
	$	405,368	$	554,928
Regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory excess deferred taxes (2)	$	315,020	$	384,513

Regulatory cost of removal obligation	594,815		582,867
Deferred gas costs	57,680		23,093

APT annual adjustment mechanism	40,233		49,894
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	205,718		215,913
Other	35,315		28,054
	$	1,248,781	$	1,284,334

Segment Information (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

Income statements and capital expenditures for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 by segment are presented in the following tables:


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,588,394	$	58,833	$	—	$	1,647,227
Intersegment revenues	787		164,654		(165,441)		—
Total operating revenues	1,589,181		223,487		(165,441)		1,647,227
Purchased gas cost	788,643		840		(165,188)		624,295
Operation and maintenance expense	154,956		45,196		(253)		199,899
Depreciation and amortization expense	121,384		43,703		—		165,087
Taxes, other than income	98,008		8,948		—		106,956
Operating income	426,190		124,800		—		550,990
Other non-operating income	9,359		7,328		—		16,687
Interest charges	36,784		18,658		—		55,442
Income before income taxes	398,765		113,470		—		512,235
Income tax expense	56,073		24,139		—		80,212
Net income	$	342,692	$	89,331	$	—	$	432,023
Capital expenditures	$	532,997	$	112,879	$	—	$	645,876


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	1,499,437	$	41,536	$	—	$	1,540,973
Intersegment revenues	773		142,888		(143,661)		—
Total operating revenues	1,500,210		184,424		(143,661)		1,540,973
Purchased gas cost	809,023		621		(143,433)		666,211
Operation and maintenance expense	151,353		43,591		(228)		194,716
Depreciation and amortization expense	106,310		42,007		—		148,317
Taxes, other than income	98,200		10,891		—		109,091
Operating income	335,324		87,314		—		422,638
Other non-operating income	7,465		9,941		—		17,406
Interest charges	21,420		15,950		—		37,370
Income before income taxes	321,369		81,305		—		402,674
Income tax expense	32,895		12,108		—		45,003
Net income	$	288,474	$	69,197	$	—	$	357,671
Capital expenditures	$	424,989	$	194,700	$	—	$	619,689



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	2,693,013	$	112,681	$	—	$	2,805,694
Intersegment revenues	1,506		321,975		(323,481)		—
Total operating revenues	2,694,519		434,656		(323,481)		2,805,694
Purchased gas cost	1,285,305		844		(322,985)		963,164
Operation and maintenance expense	282,571		84,169		(496)		366,244
Depreciation and amortization expense	241,069		88,626		—		329,695
Taxes, other than income	178,903		17,593		—		196,496
Operating income	706,671		243,424		—		950,095
Other non-operating income	15,198		19,375		—		34,573
Interest charges	71,365		35,952		—		107,317
Income before income taxes	650,504		226,847		—		877,351
Income tax expense	86,375		47,661		—		134,036
Net income	$	564,129	$	179,186	$	—	$	743,315
Capital expenditures	$	1,072,155	$	343,371	$	—	$	1,415,526



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Operating revenues from external parties	$	2,939,130	$	85,852	$	—	$	3,024,982
Intersegment revenues	1,506		285,201		(286,707)		—
Total operating revenues	2,940,636		371,053		(286,707)		3,024,982
Purchased gas cost	1,690,938		(237)		(286,241)		1,404,460
Operation and maintenance expense	287,822		92,376		(466)		379,732
Depreciation and amortization expense	211,974		82,363		—		294,337
Taxes, other than income	182,822		19,807		—		202,629
Operating income	567,080		176,744		—		743,824
Other non-operating income	14,239		24,358		—		38,597
Interest charges	44,259		29,871		—		74,130
Income before income taxes	537,060		171,231		—		708,291
Income tax expense	54,118		24,642		—		78,760
Net income	$	482,942	$	146,589	$	—	$	629,531
Capital expenditures	$	868,533	$	546,816	$	—	$	1,415,349

Balance sheet information at March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023 by segment is presented in the following tables:


	March 31, 2024
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net property, plant and equipment	$	15,346,551	$	5,468,012	$	—	$	20,814,563
Total assets	$	23,212,086	$	5,776,113	$	(4,983,559)	$	24,004,640


	September 30, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Eliminations		Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net property, plant and equipment	$	14,402,578	$	5,204,005	$	—	$	19,606,583
Total assets	$	21,716,467	$	5,504,972	$	(4,704,471)	$	22,516,968

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are calculated as follows:


	Three Months Ended March 31				Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic Earnings Per Share
Net income	$	432,023	$	357,671	$	743,315	$	629,531
Less: Income allocated to participating securities	255		212		442		381
Income available to common shareholders	$	431,768	$	357,459	$	742,873	$	629,150
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	151,271		143,941		150,534		142,881
Net income per share — Basic	$	2.85	$	2.48	$	4.93	$	4.40
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Income available to common shareholders	$	431,768	$	357,459	$	742,873	$	629,150
Effect of dilutive shares	—		—		—		—
Income available to common shareholders	$	431,768	$	357,459	$	742,873	$	629,150
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	151,271		143,941		150,534		142,881
Dilutive shares	26		46		13		82
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	151,297		143,987		150,547		142,963
Net income per share — Diluted	$	2.85	$	2.48	$	4.93	$	4.40

Revenue and Accounts Receivable (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables disaggregate our revenue from contracts with customers by customer type and segment and provide a reconciliation to total operating revenues, including intersegment revenues, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024				Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Distribution		Pipeline and Storage
	(In thousands)
Gas sales revenues:
Residential	$	1,065,296	$	—	$	943,090	$	—
Commercial	404,701		—		398,812		—
Industrial	30,419		—		45,044		—
Public authority and other	21,120		—		22,686		—
Total gas sales revenues	1,521,536		—		1,409,632		—
Transportation revenues	37,607		223,159		33,511		190,248
Miscellaneous revenues	3,724		2,162		2,662		1,152
Revenues from contracts with customers	1,562,867		225,321		1,445,805		191,400
Alternative revenue program revenues	22,315		(1,834)		53,910		(6,976)
Other revenues	3,999		—		495		—
Total operating revenues	$	1,589,181	$	223,487	$	1,500,210	$	184,424



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2024				Six Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Distribution		Pipeline and Storage		Distribution		Pipeline and Storage
	(In thousands)
Gas sales revenues:
Residential	$	1,792,978	$	—	$	1,896,141	$	—
Commercial	681,954		—		787,479		—
Industrial	58,650		—		104,259		—
Public authority and other	35,704		—		45,512		—
Total gas sales revenues	2,569,286		—		2,833,391		—
Transportation revenues	71,374		438,464		65,673		385,500
Miscellaneous revenues	6,367		5,204		4,944		3,874
Revenues from contracts with customers	2,647,027		443,668		2,904,008		389,374
Alternative revenue program revenues	39,716		(9,012)		35,588		(18,321)
Other revenues	7,776		—		1,040		—
Total operating revenues	$	2,694,519	$	434,656	$	2,940,636	$	371,053

Schedule of Allowance for Credit Loss Activity

Rollforwards of our allowance for uncollectible accounts for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented in the table below. The allowance excludes the gas cost portion of customers’ bills for approximately 88 percent of our customers as we have the ability to collect these gas costs through our gas cost recovery mechanisms in most of our jurisdictions.


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, December 31, 2023	$	35,406
Current period provisions	12,797
Write-offs charged against allowance	(5,859)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	361

Ending balance, March 31, 2024	$	42,705


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, December 31, 2022	$	47,613
Current period provisions	13,009
Write-offs charged against allowance	(8,333)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	462
Ending balance, March 31, 2023	$	52,751



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2024
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, September 30, 2023	$	40,840
Current period provisions	19,547
Write-offs charged against allowance	(14,616)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	1,126
Mississippi recovery of uncollectible accounts	(4,192)
Ending balance, March 31, 2024	$	42,705



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2023
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, September 30, 2022	$	49,993
Current period provisions	20,242
Write-offs charged against allowance	(18,754)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	1,270
Ending balance, March 31, 2023	$	52,751

Debt (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments

Long-term debt at March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023 consisted of the following:


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Unsecured 3.00% Senior Notes, due June 2027	$	500,000	$	500,000
Unsecured 2.625% Senior Notes, due September 2029	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 1.50% Senior Notes, due January 2031	600,000		600,000
Unsecured 5.45% Senior Notes, due October 2032	300,000		300,000
Unsecured 5.90% Senior Notes, due October 2033	400,000		—
Unsecured 5.95% Senior Notes, due October 2034	200,000		200,000
Unsecured 5.50% Senior Notes, due June 2041	400,000		400,000
Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes, due January 2043	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 4.125% Senior Notes, due October 2044	750,000		750,000
Unsecured 4.30% Senior Notes, due October 2048	600,000		600,000
Unsecured 4.125% Senior Notes, due March 2049	450,000		450,000
Unsecured 3.375% Senior Notes, due September 2049	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 2.85% Senior Notes, due February 2052	600,000		600,000
Unsecured 5.75% Senior Notes, due October 2052	500,000		500,000
Unsecured 6.20% Senior Notes, due October 2053	500,000		—
Medium-term note Series A, 1995-1, 6.67%, due December 2025	10,000		10,000
Unsecured 6.75% Debentures, due July 2028	150,000		150,000
Finance lease obligations	49,670		50,393
Total long-term debt	7,509,670		6,610,393
Less:
Original issue discount on unsecured senior notes and debentures	7,617		6,104
Debt issuance cost	55,607		48,588
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,591		1,568
Total long-term debt, net	$	7,444,855	$	6,554,133

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Reconciliation of Changes in Stockholders Equity

The following tables present a reconciliation of changes in stockholders' equity for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.


	Common stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Retained Earnings		Total
	Number of Shares	Stated Value
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Balance, September 30, 2023	148,492,783	$	742	$	6,684,120	$	518,528	$	3,666,674	$	10,870,064
Net income	—	—		—		—		311,292		311,292
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		(49,936)		—		(49,936)


Cash dividends ($0.805 per share)	—	—		—		—		(119,898)		(119,898)

Common stock issued:
Public and other stock offerings	2,177,864	11		257,757		—		—		257,768
Stock-based compensation plans	163,750	1		3,918		—		—		3,919
Balance, December 31, 2023	150,834,397	754		6,945,795		468,592		3,858,068		11,273,209
Net income	—	—		—		—		432,023		432,023
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		27,108		—		27,108


Cash dividends ($0.805 per share)	—	—		—		—		(121,667)		(121,667)

Common stock issued:
Public and other stock offerings	34,687	—		4,025		—		—		4,025
Stock-based compensation plans	5,468	—		3,941		—		—		3,941
Balance, March 31, 2024	150,874,552	$	754	$	6,953,761	$	495,700	$	4,168,424	$	11,618,639


	Common stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Retained Earnings		Total
	Number of Shares	Stated Value
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Balance, September 30, 2022	140,896,598	$	704	$	5,838,118	$	369,112	$	3,211,157	$	9,419,091
Net income	—	—		—		—		271,860		271,860
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		22,218		—		22,218


Cash dividends ($0.74 per share)	—	—		—		—		(104,552)		(104,552)

Common stock issued:
Public and other stock offerings	2,147,210	11		223,768		—		—		223,779
Stock-based compensation plans	111,953	1		3,877		—		—		3,878
Balance, December 31, 2022	143,155,761	716		6,065,763		391,330		3,378,465		9,836,274
Net income	—	—		—		—		357,671		357,671
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		(30,333)		—		(30,333)


Cash dividends ($0.74 per share)	—	—		—		—		(106,173)		(106,173)

Common stock issued:
Public and other stock offerings	1,316,930	6		143,808		—		—		143,814
Stock-based compensation plans	11,959	—		3,952		—		—		3,952
Balance, March 31, 2023	144,484,650	$	722	$	6,213,523	$	360,997	$	3,629,963	$	10,205,205

Schedule of Forward Sales Agreements

Additionally, we had $889.7 million in available proceeds from outstanding forward sale agreements, as detailed below.



Maturity	Shares Available	Net Proceeds Available (In thousands)		Forward Price
September 30, 2024	861,655	$	101,838	$	118.19
December 31, 2024	2,176,974	251,971		$	115.74
June 30, 2025	4,695,737	535,871		$	114.12
Total	7,734,366	$	889,680	$	115.03

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables provide the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances, net of the related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss).


	Available- for-Sale Securities		Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges		Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2023	$	(369)	$	518,897	$	518,528
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	246		(18,091)		(17,845)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—		(4,983)		(4,983)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	246		(23,074)		(22,828)

March 31, 2024	$	(123)	$	495,823	$	495,700


	Available- for-Sale Securities		Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges		Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2022	$	(495)	$	369,607	$	369,112
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	221		(7,276)		(7,055)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—		(1,060)		(1,060)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	221		(8,336)		(8,115)

March 31, 2023	$	(274)	$	361,271	$	360,997

Variable Interest Entity (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Schedule of Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

The following table summarizes the impact of AEK on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, for the periods indicated:


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$	1,272	$	3,844
Other current assets	$	2	$	11
Securitized intangible asset, net	$	87,279	$	92,202
Accrued interest	$	383	$	1,374
Current maturities of securitized long-term debt	$	8,001	$	9,922
Securitized long-term debt	$	81,261	$	85,078

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income

The following table summarizes the impact of AEK on our condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, for the period indicated:


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024		Six Months Ended March 31, 2024

Operating revenues	$	3,469	$	6,802
Operation and maintenance expense	(224)		(224)
Amortization expense	(2,103)		(4,269)
Interest expense, net	(1,142)		(2,309)
Income before income taxes	$	—	$	—

Interim Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Information (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Retirement Benefits, Description [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs


	Three Months Ended March 31
	Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	2,405	$	2,908	$	1,507	$	1,546
Interest cost (1)	7,430		7,325		3,509		3,478
Expected return on assets (1)	(7,202)		(7,278)		(3,128)		(2,804)

Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (1)	—		(30)		(3,260)		(3,285)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss (1)	97		164		(2,718)		(1,863)

Net periodic pension cost	$	2,730	$	3,089	$	(4,090)	$	(2,928)



	Six Months Ended March 31
	Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost	$	4,794	$	5,816	$	3,014	$	3,091
Interest cost (1)	14,926		14,650		7,017		6,955
Expected return on assets (1)	(14,404)		(14,556)		(6,256)		(5,608)

Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (1)	—		(61)		(6,520)		(6,571)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss (1)	215		329		(5,436)		(3,726)
Settlements (1)	776		—		—		—
Net periodic pension cost	$	6,307	$	6,178	$	(8,181)	$	(5,859)

Financial Instruments (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Interest Rate Derivatives

The following table summarizes our existing forward starting interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2024. These swaps were designated as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements were executed.



Planned Debt Issuance Date	Amount Hedged
	(In thousands)



Fiscal 2025	$	600,000
Fiscal 2026	300,000
	$	900,000

Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value


		March 31, 2024
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities
		(In thousands)

Designated As Hedges:

Interest rate contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	$	258,622	$	—

Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	97,159		—
Total		355,781		—
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	1,320		(5,840)

Total		1,320		(5,840)
Gross / Net Financial Instruments		$	357,101	$	(5,840)


		September 30, 2023
	Balance Sheet Location	Assets		Liabilities
		(In thousands)

Designated As Hedges:



Interest rate contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	$	379,101	$	—
Total		379,101		—
Not Designated As Hedges:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets / Other current liabilities	4,071		(14,584)
Commodity contracts	Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities	2,492		(824)
Total		6,563		(15,408)
Gross / Net Financial Instruments		$	385,664	$	(15,408)

Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)


	Three Months Ended March 31				Six Months Ended March 31
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(In thousands)
Increase (decrease) in fair value:
Interest rate agreements	$	29,650	$	(29,937)	$	(18,091)	$	(7,276)

Recognition of (gains) losses in earnings due to settlements:
Interest rate agreements	(2,492)		(530)		(4,983)		(1,060)

Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging, net of tax	$	27,158	$	(30,467)	$	(23,074)	$	(8,336)

Schedule of Expected Deferred Gains (Losses) Recognition

The following amounts, net of deferred taxes, represent the expected recognition in earnings of the deferred net gains recorded in AOCI associated with our interest rate agreements, based upon the fair values of these agreements at the date of settlement. The remaining amortization periods for these settled amounts extend through fiscal 2053. However, the table below does not include the expected recognition in earnings of our outstanding interest rate swaps as those instruments have not yet settled.


	Interest Rate Agreements
	(In thousands)
Next twelve months	$	9,965
Thereafter	209,850
Total	$	219,815

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis

The following tables summarize, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023. Assets and liabilities are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.


	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral		March 31, 2024
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	357,101	$	—	$	—	$	357,101
Debt and equity securities
Registered investment companies	28,076		—		—		—		28,076
Bond mutual funds	38,844		—		—		—		38,844
Bonds (2)	—		37,582		—		—		37,582
Money market funds	—		3,272		—		—		3,272
Total debt and equity securities	66,920		40,854		—		—		107,774
Total assets	$	66,920	$	397,955	$	—	$	—	$	464,875
Liabilities:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	5,840	$	—	$	—	$	5,840


	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	385,664	$	—	$	—	$	385,664
Debt and equity securities
Registered investment companies	26,685		—		—		—		26,685
Bond mutual funds	37,573		—		—		—		37,573
Bonds (2)	—		35,507		—		—		35,507
Money market funds	—		4,837		—		—		4,837
Total debt and equity securities	64,258		40,344		—		—		104,602
Total assets	$	64,258	$	426,008	$	—	$	—	$	490,266
Liabilities:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	15,408	$	—	$	—	$	15,408

(2)Our investments in bonds are considered available-for-sale debt securities in accordance with current accounting guidance.

Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Long-term Debt

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our long-term debt, excluding finance leases, debt issuance costs and original issue premium or discount, as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023:


	March 31, 2024		September 30, 2023
	(In thousands)
Carrying Amount	$	7,460,000	$	6,560,000
Fair Value	$	6,762,617	$	5,402,591

Nature of Business (Details) customer in Millions	Mar. 31, 2024 regulatedDistributionDivision state customer
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of customers serviced (over) \| customer	3.3
Number of regulated distribution divisions \| regulatedDistributionDivision	6
Number of states with service areas \| state	8

Regulation - Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	$ 405,368	$ 554,928
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	1,248,781	1,284,334
Regulatory excess deferred taxes
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	315,020	384,513
Regulatory cost of removal obligation
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	594,815	582,867
Deferred gas costs
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	57,680	23,093
APT annual adjustment mechanism
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	40,233	49,894
Pension and postretirement benefit costs
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	205,718	215,913
Other
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	35,315	28,054
Pension and postretirement benefit costs
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	16,174	20,629
Infrastructure mechanisms
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	210,795	229,996
Winter Storm Uri incremental costs
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	15,510	32,115
Deferred gas costs
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	25,928	148,297
Regulatory excess deferred taxes
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	51,654	47,549
Recoverable loss on reacquired debt
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	3,154	3,238
Deferred pipeline record collection costs
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	66,535	54,008
Other
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	$ 15,618	$ 19,096

Regulation - Narrative (Details) - Texas - Winter Storm Uri - USD ($) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 01, 2022	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Extraordinary Gas Cost
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory asset, authorized		$ 3,500.0
Extraordinary Gas Cost \| Minimum
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory asset, maturity period		12 years
Extraordinary Gas Cost \| Maximum
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory asset, maturity period		18 years
Winter Storm Uri incremental costs
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory asset, deferred costs	$ 32.4
Regulatory asset, deferred costs, remaining			$ 10.9
Winter Storm Uri incremental costs \| Other current assets
Regulatory Asset [Line Items]
Regulatory asset, recovering cost			$ 4.6	$ 21.2

Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	Mar. 31, 2024 state
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of states with service areas	8

Segment Information - Schedule of Income Statements and Capital Expenditures By Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 1,647,227		$ 1,540,973		$ 2,805,694	$ 3,024,982
Purchased gas cost	624,295		666,211		963,164	1,404,460
Operation and maintenance expense	199,899		194,716		366,244	379,732
Depreciation and amortization expense	165,087		148,317		329,695	294,337
Taxes, other than income	106,956		109,091		196,496	202,629
Operating income	550,990		422,638		950,095	743,824
Other non-operating income	16,687		17,406		34,573	38,597
Interest charges	55,442		37,370		107,317	74,130
Income before income taxes	512,235		402,674		877,351	708,291
Income tax expense	80,212		45,003		134,036	78,760
Net income	432,023	$ 311,292	357,671	$ 271,860	743,315	629,531
Capital expenditures	645,876		619,689		1,415,526	1,415,349
Distribution segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,588,394		1,499,437		2,693,013	2,939,130
Pipeline and storage segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	58,833		41,536		112,681	85,852
Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(165,441)		(143,661)		(323,481)	(286,707)
Purchased gas cost	(165,188)		(143,433)		(322,985)	(286,241)
Operation and maintenance expense	(253)		(228)		(496)	(466)
Depreciation and amortization expense	0		0		0	0
Taxes, other than income	0		0		0	0
Operating income	0		0		0	0
Other non-operating income	0		0		0	0
Interest charges	0		0		0	0
Income before income taxes	0		0		0	0
Income tax expense	0		0		0	0
Net income	0		0		0	0
Capital expenditures	0		0		0	0
Eliminations \| Distribution segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	787		773		1,506	1,506
Eliminations \| Pipeline and storage segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	164,654		142,888		321,975	285,201
Operating Segments \| Distribution segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,589,181		1,500,210		2,694,519	2,940,636
Purchased gas cost	788,643		809,023		1,285,305	1,690,938
Operation and maintenance expense	154,956		151,353		282,571	287,822
Depreciation and amortization expense	121,384		106,310		241,069	211,974
Taxes, other than income	98,008		98,200		178,903	182,822
Operating income	426,190		335,324		706,671	567,080
Other non-operating income	9,359		7,465		15,198	14,239
Interest charges	36,784		21,420		71,365	44,259
Income before income taxes	398,765		321,369		650,504	537,060
Income tax expense	56,073		32,895		86,375	54,118
Net income	342,692		288,474		564,129	482,942
Capital expenditures	532,997		424,989		1,072,155	868,533
Operating Segments \| Pipeline and storage segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	223,487		184,424		434,656	371,053
Purchased gas cost	840		621		844	(237)
Operation and maintenance expense	45,196		43,591		84,169	92,376
Depreciation and amortization expense	43,703		42,007		88,626	82,363
Taxes, other than income	8,948		10,891		17,593	19,807
Operating income	124,800		87,314		243,424	176,744
Other non-operating income	7,328		9,941		19,375	24,358
Interest charges	18,658		15,950		35,952	29,871
Income before income taxes	113,470		81,305		226,847	171,231
Income tax expense	24,139		12,108		47,661	24,642
Net income	89,331		69,197		179,186	146,589
Capital expenditures	$ 112,879		$ 194,700		$ 343,371	$ 546,816

Segment Information - Schedule of Balance Sheet Information by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net property, plant and equipment	$ 20,814,563	$ 19,606,583
Total assets	24,004,640	22,516,968
Operating Segments \| Distribution
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net property, plant and equipment	15,346,551	14,402,578
Total assets	23,212,086	21,716,467
Operating Segments \| Pipeline and Storage
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net property, plant and equipment	5,468,012	5,204,005
Total assets	5,776,113	5,504,972
Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Total assets	$ (4,983,559)	$ (4,704,471)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Basic Earnings Per Share
Net income	$ 432,023	$ 311,292	$ 357,671	$ 271,860	$ 743,315	$ 629,531
Less: Income allocated to participating securities	255		212		442	381
Income available to common shareholders	$ 431,768		$ 357,459		$ 742,873	$ 629,150
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	151,271		143,941		150,534	142,881
Net income per share - Basic (USD per share)	$ 2.85		$ 2.48		$ 4.93	$ 4.40
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Income available to common shareholders	$ 431,768		$ 357,459		$ 742,873	$ 629,150
Effect of dilutive shares	0		0		0	0
Income available to common shareholders	$ 431,768		$ 357,459		$ 742,873	$ 629,150
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	151,271		143,941		150,534	142,881
Dilutive shares (in shares)	26		46		13	82
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	151,297		143,987		150,547	142,963
Net income per share - Diluted (USD per share)	$ 2.85		$ 2.48		$ 4.93	$ 4.40

Revenue and Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	$ 1,647,227	$ 1,540,973	$ 2,805,694	$ 3,024,982
Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	1,588,394	1,499,437	2,693,013	2,939,130
Pipeline and Storage
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	58,833	41,536	112,681	85,852
Operating Segments \| Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	1,562,867	1,445,805	2,647,027	2,904,008
Alternative revenue program revenues	22,315	53,910	39,716	35,588
Other revenues	3,999	495	7,776	1,040
Total operating revenues	1,589,181	1,500,210	2,694,519	2,940,636
Operating Segments \| Pipeline and Storage
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	225,321	191,400	443,668	389,374
Alternative revenue program revenues	(1,834)	(6,976)	(9,012)	(18,321)
Other revenues	0	0	0	0
Total operating revenues	223,487	184,424	434,656	371,053
Operating Segments \| Gas sales revenues \| Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	1,521,536	1,409,632	2,569,286	2,833,391
Operating Segments \| Gas sales revenues \| Pipeline and Storage
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	0	0	0	0
Operating Segments \| Transportation revenues \| Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	37,607	33,511	71,374	65,673
Operating Segments \| Transportation revenues \| Pipeline and Storage
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	223,159	190,248	438,464	385,500
Operating Segments \| Miscellaneous revenues \| Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	3,724	2,662	6,367	4,944
Operating Segments \| Miscellaneous revenues \| Pipeline and Storage
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	2,162	1,152	5,204	3,874
Operating Segments \| Residential \| Gas sales revenues \| Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	1,065,296	943,090	1,792,978	1,896,141
Operating Segments \| Residential \| Gas sales revenues \| Pipeline and Storage
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	0	0	0	0
Operating Segments \| Commercial \| Gas sales revenues \| Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	404,701	398,812	681,954	787,479
Operating Segments \| Commercial \| Gas sales revenues \| Pipeline and Storage
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	0	0	0	0
Operating Segments \| Industrial \| Gas sales revenues \| Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	30,419	45,044	58,650	104,259
Operating Segments \| Industrial \| Gas sales revenues \| Pipeline and Storage
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	0	0	0	0
Operating Segments \| Public authority and other \| Gas sales revenues \| Distribution
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	21,120	22,686	35,704	45,512
Operating Segments \| Public authority and other \| Gas sales revenues \| Pipeline and Storage
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Revenue and Accounts Receivable - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		24 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percent of customers excluded			88.00%		88.00%	88.00%	88.00%
Reduction to bad debt expense			$ (12,797)		$ (13,009)	$ (19,547)	$ (20,242)
Recovery of uncollectible accounts, not yet been written off						4,192
Mississippi Public Service Commission
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Recovery of uncollectible accounts, term	1 year	2 years		2 years
Reduction to bad debt expense				$ 13,900
Recovery of uncollectible accounts, previously written off but not yet recovered through rates								$ 9,700
Recovery of uncollectible accounts, not yet been written off						$ 4,200
Distribution segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Regulatory mechanism threshold						75.00%
Pipeline and storage segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rate case revenue benchmark	$ 69,400	$ 106,900

Revenue and Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Rollforward of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 35,406	$ 40,840	$ 47,613	$ 40,840	$ 49,993
Current period provisions	12,797		13,009	19,547	20,242
Write-offs charged against allowance	(5,859)		(8,333)	(14,616)	(18,754)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off	361		462	1,126	1,270
Mississippi recovery of uncollectible accounts				(4,192)
Ending balance	$ 42,705	$ 35,406	$ 52,751	$ 42,705	$ 52,751

Debt - Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 7,460,000	$ 6,560,000
Finance lease obligations	49,670	50,393
Total long-term debt	7,509,670	6,610,393
Less:
Original issue discount on unsecured senior notes and debentures	7,617	6,104
Debt issuance cost	55,607	48,588
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,591	1,568
Total long-term debt, net	$ 7,444,855	6,554,133
Unsecured 3.00% Senior Notes, due June 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.00%
Long-term debt	$ 500,000	500,000
Unsecured 2.625% Senior Notes, due September 2029
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.625%
Long-term debt	$ 500,000	500,000
Unsecured 1.50% Senior Notes, due January 2031
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	1.50%
Long-term debt	$ 600,000	600,000
Unsecured 5.45% Senior Notes, due October 2032
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.45%
Long-term debt	$ 300,000	300,000
Unsecured 5.90% Senior Notes, due October 2033
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.90%
Long-term debt	$ 400,000	0
Unsecured 5.95% Senior Notes, due October 2034
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.95%
Long-term debt	$ 200,000	200,000
Unsecured 5.50% Senior Notes, due June 2041
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.50%
Long-term debt	$ 400,000	400,000
Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes, due January 2043
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.15%
Long-term debt	$ 500,000	500,000
Unsecured 4.125% Senior Notes, due October 2044
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.125%
Long-term debt	$ 750,000	750,000
Unsecured 4.30% Senior Notes, due October 2048
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.30%
Long-term debt	$ 600,000	600,000
Unsecured 4.125% Senior Notes, due March 2049
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.125%
Long-term debt	$ 450,000	450,000
Unsecured 3.375% Senior Notes, due September 2049
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.375%
Long-term debt	$ 500,000	500,000
Unsecured 2.85% Senior Notes, due February 2052
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.85%
Long-term debt	$ 600,000	600,000
Unsecured 5.75% Senior Notes, due October 2052
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.75%
Long-term debt	$ 500,000	500,000
Unsecured 6.20% Senior Notes, due October 2053
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.20%
Long-term debt	$ 500,000	0
Medium-term note Series A, 1995-1, 6.67%, due December 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.67%
Long-term debt	$ 10,000	10,000
Unsecured 6.75% Debentures, due July 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.75%
Long-term debt	$ 150,000	$ 150,000

Debt - Narrative (Details)				6 Months Ended
Debt - Narrative (Details)	Mar. 28, 2024 USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2024 USD ($)	Oct. 10, 2023 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($) creditFacility	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt				$ 898,275,000	$ 797,258,000
Maximum debt-to-total-capitalization ratio				70.00%
Debt-to-total-capitalization ratio				0.40
Minimum
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding indebtedness				$ 15,000,000
Maximum
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding indebtedness				100,000,000
Unsecured Senior Notes Due October 2053 \| Senior Notes
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt face amount			$ 500,000,000
Interest rate			6.20%
Effective rate			5.56%
Unsecured Senior Notes Due October 2033 \| Senior Notes
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt face amount			$ 400,000,000
Interest rate			5.90%
Effective rate			4.35%
Unsecured Senior Notes Due October 2033 and Unsecured Senior Notes Due October 2053 \| Senior Notes
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			$ 889,400,000
Five Year Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding commercial paper						$ 241,900,000
Five Year Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement \| Commercial Paper
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 1,500,000,000
Debt agreement term		5 years
Five Year Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement, March 28, 2029
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding commercial paper				$ 0
Five Year Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement, March 28, 2029 \| Minimum \| Base Rate
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				0.00%
Five Year Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement, March 28, 2029 \| Minimum \| Term SOFR
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				0.75%
Five Year Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement, March 28, 2029 \| Maximum \| Base Rate
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				0.25%
Five Year Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement, March 28, 2029 \| Maximum \| Term SOFR
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				1.25%
Five Year Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement, March 28, 2029 \| Commercial Paper
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,500,000,000			$ 1,500,000,000
Debt agreement term	5 years
Accordion feature				250,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity post accordion feature				1,750,000,000
Five Year Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement, March 28, 2029 \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 3,100,000,000
Number of credit facilities \| creditFacility				4
$900 Million Revolving Credit Facility \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 900,000,000
Debt agreement term		3 years
Outstanding borrowings						0
$1.5 Billion Revolving Credit Facility \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,500,000,000
Debt agreement term	3 years
Accordion feature				$ 250,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity post accordion feature				1,750,000,000
Outstanding borrowings				$ 0
$1.5 Billion Revolving Credit Facility \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Minimum \| Base Rate
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				0.00%
$1.5 Billion Revolving Credit Facility \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Minimum \| Term SOFR
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				0.75%
$1.5 Billion Revolving Credit Facility \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Maximum \| Base Rate
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				0.25%
$1.5 Billion Revolving Credit Facility \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Maximum \| Term SOFR
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate spread				1.25%
$50 Million Bank Loan Agreement \| Line of Credit
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 50,000,000
Debt agreement term				364 days
Outstanding borrowings				$ 0		$ 0
$50 Million Revolving Credit Facility
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings				0
$50 Million Revolving Credit Facility \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 50,000,000
Debt agreement term				364 days
Remaining borrowing capacity				$ 44,400,000

Shareholders' Equity - Schedule of Components of Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)		148,492,783			148,492,783
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance	$ 11,273,209	$ 10,870,064	$ 9,836,274	$ 9,419,091	$ 10,870,064	$ 9,419,091
Net income	432,023	311,292	357,671	271,860	743,315	629,531
Other comprehensive income (loss)	27,108	(49,936)	(30,333)	22,218	$ (22,828)	(8,115)
Cash dividends	(121,667)	(119,898)	(106,173)	(104,552)
Public and other stock offerings	4,025	257,768	143,814	223,779
Stock-based compensation plans	$ 3,941	3,919	3,952	3,878
Common stock outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	150,874,552				150,874,552
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	$ 11,618,639	$ 11,273,209	$ 10,205,205	$ 9,836,274	$ 11,618,639	$ 10,205,205
Cash dividends per share (USD per share)	$ 0.805	$ 0.805	$ 0.740	$ 0.74	$ 1.61	$ 1.48
Common stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	150,834,397	148,492,783	143,155,761	140,896,598	148,492,783	140,896,598
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance	$ 754	$ 742	$ 716	$ 704	$ 742	$ 704
Public and other stock offerings (in shares)	34,687	2,177,864	1,316,930	2,147,210
Public and other stock offerings		$ 11	$ 6	$ 11
Stock-based compensation plans (in shares)	5,468	163,750	11,959	111,953
Stock-based compensation plans		$ 1		$ 1
Common stock outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	150,874,552	150,834,397	144,484,650	143,155,761	150,874,552	144,484,650
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	$ 754	$ 754	$ 722	$ 716	$ 754	$ 722
Additional Paid-in Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance	6,945,795	6,684,120	6,065,763	5,838,118	6,684,120	5,838,118
Public and other stock offerings	4,025	257,757	143,808	223,768
Stock-based compensation plans	3,941	3,918	3,952	3,877
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	6,953,761	6,945,795	6,213,523	6,065,763	6,953,761	6,213,523
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance	468,592	518,528	391,330	369,112	518,528	369,112
Other comprehensive income (loss)	27,108	(49,936)	(30,333)	22,218
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	495,700	468,592	360,997	391,330	495,700	360,997
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance	3,858,068	3,666,674	3,378,465	3,211,157	3,666,674	3,211,157
Net income	432,023	311,292	357,671	271,860
Cash dividends	(121,667)	(119,898)	(106,173)	(104,552)
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	$ 4,168,424	$ 3,858,068	$ 3,629,963	$ 3,378,465	$ 4,168,424	$ 3,629,963

Shareholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
Shareholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Forward sales equity agreement, settlement in cash	$ 889,680,000
Net proceeds from equity issuances	254,022,000	$ 359,683,000
Shelf Registration Statement
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Debt and equity securities authorized for issuance	5,000,000,000
Debt and equity securities authorized for issuance value remaining	3,100,000,000
At-The-Market
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Value of shares authorized for issuance	$ 1,000,000,000
Forward sales equity agreement (in shares)	5,917,899
Forward sales equity agreement, settlement in cash	$ 678,900,000
Shares issued (in shares)	2,144,558
Net proceeds from equity issuances	$ 254,000,000
Equity available for issuance	$ 81,600,000

Shareholders' Equity - Schedule of Forward Sales Agreement (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Shares available (in shares) \| shares	7,734,366
Net proceeds available \| $	$ 889,680
Forward price (USD per share) \| $ / shares	$ 115.03
Forward Sales Equity Agreement Maturing Quarter Ended September 30 2024
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Shares available (in shares) \| shares	861,655
Net proceeds available \| $	$ 101,838
Forward price (USD per share) \| $ / shares	$ 118.19
Forward Sales Equity Agreement Maturing Quarter Ended December 31, 2024
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Shares available (in shares) \| shares	2,176,974
Net proceeds available \| $	$ 251,971
Forward price (USD per share) \| $ / shares	$ 115.74
Forward Sales Equity Agreement Maturing Quarter Ended June 30, 2025
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Shares available (in shares) \| shares	4,695,737
Net proceeds available \| $	$ 535,871
Forward price (USD per share) \| $ / shares	$ 114.12

Shareholders' Equity - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance	$ 11,273,209	$ 10,870,064	$ 9,836,274	$ 9,419,091	$ 10,870,064	$ 9,419,091
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications					(17,845)	(7,055)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income					(4,983)	(1,060)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	27,108	(49,936)	(30,333)	22,218	(22,828)	(8,115)
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	11,618,639	11,273,209	10,205,205	9,836,274	11,618,639	10,205,205
Available- for-Sale Securities
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance		(369)		(495)	(369)	(495)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications					246	221
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income					0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)					246	221
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	(123)		(274)		(123)	(274)
Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance		518,897		369,607	518,897	369,607
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications					(18,091)	(7,276)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income					(4,983)	(1,060)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)					(23,074)	(8,336)
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	495,823		361,271		495,823	361,271
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance	468,592	518,528	391,330	369,112	518,528	369,112
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	27,108	(49,936)	(30,333)	22,218
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	$ 495,700	$ 468,592	$ 360,997	$ 391,330	$ 495,700	$ 360,997

Variable Interest Entity - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 6,762,617	$ 5,402,591
Securitized Utility Tariff Bonds \| Senior Notes \| AEK \| Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Debt face amount			$ 95,000
Long-term debt	89,300
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 89,300

Variable Interest Entity - Schedule of Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,272	$ 3,844
Other current assets	428,105	292,036
Securitized intangible asset, net	87,279	92,202
Current maturities of securitized long-term debt	8,001	9,922
Securitized long-term debt	81,261	85,078
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary \| AEK
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	1,272	3,844
Other current assets	2	11
Securitized intangible asset, net	87,279	92,202
Accrued interest	383	1,374
Current maturities of securitized long-term debt	8,001	9,922
Securitized long-term debt	$ 81,261	$ 85,078

Variable Interest Entity - Schedule of Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 1,647,227	$ 1,540,973	$ 2,805,694	$ 3,024,982
Operation and maintenance expense	(199,899)	(194,716)	(366,244)	(379,732)
Amortization expense	(165,087)	(148,317)	(329,695)	(294,337)
Interest expense, net	(55,442)	(37,370)	(107,317)	(74,130)
Income before income taxes	512,235	$ 402,674	877,351	$ 708,291
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary \| AEK
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,469		6,802
Operation and maintenance expense	(224)		(224)
Amortization expense	(2,103)		(4,269)
Interest expense, net	(1,142)		(2,309)
Income before income taxes	$ 0		$ 0

Interim Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Information - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2023	Nov. 29, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023	Sep. 30, 2024	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	5.82%	6.17%
Forecast
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Decrease of costs from plan revaluation				$ 400
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Settlement charge			$ 800		$ 776	$ 0

Interim Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Information - Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 2,405		$ 2,908	$ 4,794	$ 5,816
Interest cost	7,430		7,325	14,926	14,650
Expected return on assets	(7,202)		(7,278)	(14,404)	(14,556)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	0		(30)	0	(61)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	97		164	215	329
Settlements		$ (800)		(776)	0
Net periodic pension cost	2,730		3,089	6,307	6,178
Other Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	1,507		1,546	3,014	3,091
Interest cost	3,509		3,478	7,017	6,955
Expected return on assets	(3,128)		(2,804)	(6,256)	(5,608)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(3,260)		(3,285)	(6,520)	(6,571)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	(2,718)		(1,863)	(5,436)	(3,726)
Settlements				0	0
Net periodic pension cost	$ (4,090)		$ (2,928)	$ (8,181)	$ (5,859)

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)		6 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	Jan. 27, 2024 incident fatality	Mar. 31, 2024 MMcf
National Transportation Safety Board
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Number of fatalities under investigation \| fatality	1
National Transportation Safety Board \| Jackson, Mississippi
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Number of incidents investigated that occurred during period \| incident	2
Supply Commitment
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Contract term		1 year
Supply Commitment \| Short-term Contract with Customer
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Contract term		1 year
Purchase commitment volume		82,200
Supply Commitment \| Long-term Contract with Customer Within Two To Three Years
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Purchase commitment volume		30,000.0
Supply Commitment \| Long-term Contract with Customer Within Two To Three Years \| Minimum
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Contract term		2 years
Supply Commitment \| Long-term Contract with Customer Within Two To Three Years \| Maximum
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Contract term		3 years

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Sep. 30, 2023
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	15.70%	11.20%	15.30%	11.10%
Regulatory liabilities	$ 1,248,781		$ 1,248,781		$ 1,284,334
Regulatory excess deferred taxes
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Deferred tax liabilities, net	263,400		263,400
Regulatory liabilities	315,020		315,020		384,513
Regulatory excess deferred taxes \| Other Current Liabilities
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Deferred tax liabilities, net	98,700		98,700		$ 131,300
Regulatory excess deferred taxes, to be returned, tranche one
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Deferred tax liabilities, net	214,600		$ 214,600
Regulatory excess deferred taxes, to be returned, tranche one \| Minimum
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Return basis, term			12 months
Regulatory excess deferred taxes, to be returned, tranche one \| Maximum
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Return basis, term			60 months
Regulatory excess deferred taxes, to be returned, tranche two
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	47,800		$ 47,800
Regulatory excess deferred taxes, to be returned, tranche two \| Minimum
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Return basis, term			15 years
Regulatory excess deferred taxes, to be returned, tranche two \| Maximum
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Return basis, term			69 years
Regulatory excess deferred taxes, to be returned, tranche three
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Deferred tax liabilities, net	$ 1,000		$ 1,000

Financial Instruments - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Financial Instruments - Narrative (Details)	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($) MMcf	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Purchase commitment volume \| MMcf			6,651
Contract netting	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Cash collateral	0		0		$ 0
Net (gain) loss on settled interest rate agreements	(3,200,000)	$ (700,000)	(6,400,000)	$ (1,400,000)
Net realized gains in AOCI	$ 219,800,000		$ 219,800,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Gas Purchases \| Commodity contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Purchase commitment volume \| MMcf			27,600
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Gas Purchases \| Commodity contracts \| Minimum
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedging percent	25.00%		25.00%
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Gas Purchases \| Commodity contracts \| Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedging percent	50.00%		50.00%

Financial Instruments - Schedule of Interest Rate Risk Management Activities (Details) - Cash Flow Hedging - Designated As Hedge $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($)
Forward Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount	$ 900,000
Forward Interest Rate Swap, Planned Issued Fiscal 2025
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount	600,000
Forward Interest Rate Swap, Planned Issued Fiscal 2026
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount	$ 300,000

Financial Instruments - Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Net financial instruments, assets	$ 357,101	$ 385,664
Net financial instruments, liabilities	(5,840)	(15,408)
Designated As Hedges:
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross financial instruments, assets	355,781	379,101
Gross financial instruments, liabilities	0	0
Designated As Hedges: \| Other current assets \| Interest rate contracts
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross financial instruments, assets	258,622
Designated As Hedges: \| Other current liabilities \| Interest rate contracts
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross financial instruments, liabilities	0
Designated As Hedges: \| Deferred charges and other assets \| Interest rate contracts
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross financial instruments, assets	97,159	379,101
Designated As Hedges: \| Deferred credits and other liabilities \| Interest rate contracts
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross financial instruments, liabilities	0	0
Not Designated As Hedges:
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross financial instruments, assets	1,320	6,563
Gross financial instruments, liabilities	(5,840)	(15,408)
Not Designated As Hedges: \| Other current assets \| Commodity contracts
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross financial instruments, assets	1,320	4,071
Not Designated As Hedges: \| Other current liabilities \| Commodity contracts
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross financial instruments, liabilities	$ (5,840)	(14,584)
Not Designated As Hedges: \| Deferred charges and other assets \| Commodity contracts
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross financial instruments, assets		2,492
Not Designated As Hedges: \| Deferred credits and other liabilities \| Commodity contracts
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross financial instruments, liabilities		$ (824)

Financial Instruments - Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Increase (decrease) in fair value:
Interest rate agreements	$ 29,650	$ (29,937)	$ (18,091)	$ (7,276)
Recognition of (gains) losses in earnings due to settlements:
Interest rate agreements	(2,492)	(530)	(4,983)	(1,060)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging, net of tax	$ 27,158	$ (30,467)	$ (23,074)	$ (8,336)

Financial Instruments - Schedule Of Expected Deferred Gains (Losses) Recognition (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($)
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Next twelve months	$ 9,965
Thereafter	209,850
Total	$ 219,815

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments net assets	$ 357,101	$ 385,664
Debt and equity securities	107,774	104,602
Total assets	464,875	490,266
Financial instruments net liability	5,840	15,408
Registered investment companies
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	28,076	26,685
Bond mutual funds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	38,844	37,573
Bonds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	37,582	35,507
Money market funds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	3,272	4,837
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments gross assets	0	0
Debt and equity securities	66,920	64,258
Total assets	66,920	64,258
Financial instruments gross liability	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) \| Registered investment companies
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	28,076	26,685
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) \| Bond mutual funds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	38,844	37,573
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) \| Bonds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) \| Money market funds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments gross assets	357,101	385,664
Debt and equity securities	40,854	40,344
Total assets	397,955	426,008
Financial instruments gross liability	5,840	15,408
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Registered investment companies
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Bond mutual funds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Bonds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	37,582	35,507
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Money market funds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	3,272	4,837
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments gross assets	0	0
Debt and equity securities	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Financial instruments gross liability	0	0
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Registered investment companies
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	0	0
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Bond mutual funds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	0	0
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Bonds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities	0	0
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Money market funds
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Allowance for credit losses	$ 0
Cost basis	$ 37,700,000	$ 36,000,000

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Debt Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Carrying Amount	$ 7,460,000	$ 6,560,000
Fair Value	$ 6,762,617	$ 5,402,591

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