e10vq
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010
OR
     
o   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 1-3880
 
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
New Jersey   13-1086010
     
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
6363 Main Street
Williamsville, New York
  14221
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(716) 857-7000
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). YES o NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer þAccelerated Filer o Non-Accelerated Filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller Reporting Company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Common stock, $1 par value, outstanding at April 30, 2010: 81,920,814 shares.
 
 

 


Table of Contents

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Frequently used abbreviations, acronyms, or terms used in this report:
National Fuel Gas Companies
     
Company
  The Registrant, the Registrant and its subsidiaries or the Registrant’s subsidiaries as appropriate in the context of the disclosure
 
   
Distribution Corporation
  National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation
 
   
Empire
  Empire Pipeline, Inc.
 
   
ESNE
  Energy Systems North East, LLC
 
   
Highland
  Highland Forest Resources, Inc.
 
   
Horizon
  Horizon Energy Development, Inc.
 
   
Horizon LFG
  Horizon LFG, Inc.
 
   
Horizon Power
  Horizon Power, Inc.
 
   
Midstream Corporation
  National Fuel Gas Midstream Corporation
 
   
Model City
  Model City Energy, LLC
 
   
National Fuel
  National Fuel Gas Company
 
   
NFR
  National Fuel Resources, Inc.
 
   
Registrant
  National Fuel Gas Company
 
   
Seneca
  Seneca Resources Corporation
 
   
Seneca Energy
  Seneca Energy II, LLC
 
   
Supply Corporation
  National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation
 
   
Regulatory Agencies
   
 
   
EPA
  United States Environmental Protection Agency
 
   
FASB
  Financial Accounting Standards Board
 
   
FERC
  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
 
   
NYDEC
  New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
 
   
NYPSC
  State of New York Public Service Commission
 
   
PaPUC
  Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
 
   
SEC
  Securities and Exchange Commission
 
   
Other
   
 
   
2009 Form 10-K
  The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009
 
   
Bbl
  Barrel (of oil)
 
   
Bcf
  Billion cubic feet (of natural gas)
 
   
Board foot
  A measure of lumber and/or timber equal to 12 inches in length by 12 inches in width by one inch in thickness.
 
   
Btu
  British thermal unit; the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
 
   
Capital expenditure
  Represents additions to property, plant, and equipment, or the amount of money a company spends to buy capital assets or upgrade its existing capital assets.
 
   
Degree day
  A measure of the coldness of the weather experienced, based on the extent to which the daily average temperature falls below a reference temperature, usually 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
   
Derivative
  A financial instrument or other contract, the terms of which include an underlying variable (a price, interest rate, index rate, exchange rate, or other variable) and a notional amount (number of units, barrels, cubic feet, etc.). The terms also permit for the instrument or contract to be settled net and no initial net investment is required to enter into the financial instrument or contract. Examples include futures contracts, options, no cost collars and swaps.
 
   
Development costs
  Costs incurred to obtain access to proved reserves and to provide facilities for extracting, treating, gathering and storing the oil and gas.
 
   
Dth
  Decatherm; one Dth of natural gas has a heating value of 1,000,000 British thermal units, approximately equal to the heating value of 1 Mcf of natural gas.
 
   
Exchange Act
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

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Table of Contents

     
GLOSSARY OF TERMS (Cont.)
   
 
   
Expenditures for
long-lived assets
  Includes capital expenditures, stock acquisitions and/or investments in partnerships.
 
   
Exploration costs
  Costs incurred in identifying areas that may warrant examination, as well as costs incurred in examining specific areas, including drilling exploratory wells.
 
   
Firm transportation
and/or storage
  The transportation and/or storage service that a supplier of such service is obligated by contract to provide and for which the customer is obligated to pay whether or not the service is utilized.
 
   
GAAP
  Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
 
   
Goodwill
  An intangible asset representing the difference between the fair value of a company and the price at which a company is purchased.
 
   
Hedging
  A method of minimizing the impact of price, interest rate, and/or foreign currency exchange rate changes, often times through the use of derivative financial instruments.
 
   
Hub
  Location where pipelines intersect enabling the trading, transportation, storage, exchange, lending and borrowing of natural gas.
 
   
Interruptible transportation
and/or storage
  The transportation and/or storage service that, in accordance with contractual arrangements, can be interrupted by the supplier of such service, and for which the customer does not pay unless utilized.
 
   
LIBOR
  London Interbank Offered Rate
 
   
LIFO
  Last-in, first-out
 
   
Mbbl
  Thousand barrels (of oil)
 
   
Mcf
  Thousand cubic feet (of natural gas)
 
   
MD&A
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
   
MDth
  Thousand decatherms (of natural gas)
 
   
MMBtu
  Million British thermal units
 
   
MMcf
  Million cubic feet (of natural gas)
 
   
NGA
  The Natural Gas Act of 1938, as amended; the federal law regulating interstate natural gas pipeline and storage companies, among other things, codified beginning at 15 U.S.C. Section 717.
 
   
NYMEX
  New York Mercantile Exchange. An exchange which maintains a futures market for crude oil and natural gas.
 
   
Open Season
  A bidding procedure used by pipelines to allocate firm transportation or storage capacity among prospective shippers, in which all bids submitted during a defined time period are evaluated as if they had been submitted simultaneously.
 
   
Precedent Agreement
  An agreement between a pipeline company and a potential customer to sign a service agreement after specified events (called “conditions precedent”) happen, usually within a specified time.
 
   
Proved developed reserves
  Reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.
 
   
Proved undeveloped
reserves
  Reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required to make these reserves productive.
 
   
Reserves
  The unproduced but recoverable oil and/or gas in place in a formation which has been proven by production.
 
   
Restructuring
  Generally referring to partial “deregulation” of the pipeline and/or utility industry by statutory or regulatory process. Restructuring of federally regulated natural gas pipelines resulted in the separation (or “unbundling”) of gas commodity service from transportation service for wholesale and large-volume retail markets. State restructuring programs attempt to extend the same process to retail mass markets.
 
   
S&P
  Standard & Poor’s Rating Service
 
   
SAR
  Stock appreciation right
 
   
Stock acquisitions
  Investments in corporations.

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Table of Contents

     
GLOSSARY OF TERMS (Concl.)
   
 
   
Unbundled service
  A service that has been separated from other services, with rates charged that reflect only the cost of the separated service.
 
   
VEBA
  Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association
 
   
WNC
  Weather normalization clause; a clause in utility rates which adjusts customer rates to allow a utility to recover its normal operating costs calculated at normal temperatures. If temperatures during the measured period are warmer than normal, customer rates are adjusted upward in order to recover projected operating costs. If temperatures during the measured period are colder than normal, customer rates are adjusted downward so that only the projected operating costs will be recovered.

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INDEX
         
    Page  
       
       
    6 - 7  
    8 - 9  
    10  
    11  
    12 - 31  
    32 - 55  
    55  
    55  
       
    55  
    56 - 57  
    57 - 58  
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
     
Item 5. Other Information
     
    58  
    59  
 EX-10.1
 EX-12
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32
 EX-99
  The Company has nothing to report under this item.
     Reference to “the Company” in this report means the Registrant or the Registrant and its subsidiaries collectively, as appropriate in the context of the disclosure. All references to a certain year in this report are to the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30 of that year, unless otherwise noted.
     This Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements should be read with the cautionary statements and important factors included in this Form 10-Q at Item 2 — MD&A, under the heading “Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements.” Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding future prospects, plans, objectives, goals, projections, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions, capital structure, anticipated capital expenditures, completion of construction and other projects, projections for pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, impacts of the adoption of new accounting rules, and possible outcomes of litigation or regulatory proceedings, as well as statements that are identified by the use of the words “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “will,” “may,” and similar expressions.

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Table of Contents

Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
National Fuel Gas Company
Consolidated Statements of Income and Earnings
Reinvested in the Business
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended
    March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Common Share Amounts)   2010   2009
INCOME
               
Operating Revenues
  $ 671,380     $ 804,645  
 
 
               
Operating Expenses
               
Purchased Gas
    334,430       485,468  
Operation and Maintenance
    117,019       118,928  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes
    20,454       20,372  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
    46,891       41,714  
 
 
    518,794       666,482  
 
Operating Income
    152,586       138,163  
Other Income (Expense):
               
Income from Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
    672       974  
Interest Income
    326       1,005  
Other Income
    1,266       947  
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt
    (22,061 )     (17,545 )
Other Interest Expense
    (2,006 )     (2,849 )
 
Income Before Income Taxes
    130,783       120,695  
Income Tax Expense
    50,355       47,211  
 
 
               
Net Income Available for Common Stock
    80,428       73,484  
 
 
               
EARNINGS REINVESTED IN THE BUSINESS
               
Balance at December 31
    985,663       884,476  
 
 
    1,066,091       957,960  
Dividends on Common Stock (2010 - $0.335 per share; 2009 - $0.325 per share)
    (27,222 )     (25,841 )
 
Balance at March 31
  $ 1,038,869     $ 932,119  
 
 
               
Earnings Per Common Share:
               
Basic:
               
Net Income Available for Common Stock
  $ 0.99     $ 0.92  
 
Diluted:
               
Net Income Available for Common Stock
  $ 0.97     $ 0.92  
 
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
               
Used in Basic Calculation
    81,175,261       79,514,793  
 
Used in Diluted Calculation
    82,569,323       80,129,743  
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
National Fuel Gas Company
Consolidated Statements of Income and Earnings
Reinvested in the Business
(Unaudited)
                 
    Six Months Ended
    March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Common Share Amounts)   2010   2009
INCOME
               
Operating Revenues
  $ 1,128,392     $ 1,411,808  
 
 
               
Operating Expenses
               
Purchased Gas
    507,217       814,201  
Operation and Maintenance
    211,516       219,816  
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes
    39,113       39,134  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
    91,846       84,056  
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties
          182,811  
 
 
    849,692       1,340,018  
 
Operating Income
    278,700       71,790  
Other Income (Expense):
               
Income from Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
    1,073       2,092  
Impairment of Investment in Partnership
          (1,804 )
Interest Income
    1,480       2,898  
Other Income
    1,622       5,827  
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt
    (44,124 )     (35,601 )
Other Interest Expense
    (3,390 )     (2,474 )
 
Income Before Income Taxes
    235,361       42,728  
Income Tax Expense
    90,434       11,922  
 
Net Income Available for Common Stock
    144,927       30,806  
 
 
               
EARNINGS REINVESTED IN THE BUSINESS
               
Balance at October 1
    948,293       953,799  
 
 
    1,093,220       984,605  
Adoption of Authoritative Guidance for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post-Retirement Plans
          (804 )
Dividends on Common Stock (2010 - $0.67 per share; 2009 - $0.65 per share)
    (54,351 )     (51,682 )
 
Balance at March 31
  $ 1,038,869     $ 932,119  
 
 
               
Earnings Per Common Share:
               
Basic:
               
Net Income Available for Common Stock
  $ 1.79     $ 0.39  
 
Diluted:
               
Net Income Available for Common Stock
  $ 1.76     $ 0.38  
 
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
               
Used in Basic Calculation
    80,866,311       79,400,660  
 
Used in Diluted Calculation
    82,347,254       80,156,407  
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
National Fuel Gas Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,   September 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)   2010   2009
ASSETS
               
Property, Plant and Equipment
  $ 5,413,119     $ 5,184,844  
Less — Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
    2,118,594       2,051,482  
 
 
    3,294,525       3,133,362  
 
Current Assets
               
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments
    426,804       408,053  
Cash Held in Escrow
    2,000       2,000  
Hedging Collateral Deposits
    13,657       848  
Receivables — Net of Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts of $50,993 and $38,334, Respectively
    226,566       144,466  
Unbilled Utility Revenue
    38,634       18,884  
Gas Stored Underground
    14,696       55,862  
Materials and Supplies — at average cost
    27,754       24,520  
Other Current Assets
    50,593       68,474  
Deferred Income Taxes
    40,600       53,863  
 
 
    841,304       776,970  
 
 
               
Other Assets
               
Recoverable Future Taxes
    138,435       138,435  
Unamortized Debt Expense
    13,683       14,815  
Other Regulatory Assets
    521,917       530,913  
Deferred Charges
    4,876       2,737  
Other Investments
    79,219       78,503  
Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
    13,713       14,940  
Goodwill
    5,476       5,476  
Intangible Assets
    20,637       21,536  
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments
    48,850       44,817  
Other
    3,153       6,625  
 
 
    849,959       858,797  
 
 
               
Total Assets
  $ 4,985,788     $ 4,769,129  
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
National Fuel Gas Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,   September 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)   2010   2009
     
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
               
Capitalization:
               
Comprehensive Shareholders’ Equity
               
Common Stock, $1 Par Value Authorized - 200,000,000 Shares; Issued And Outstanding — 81,258,186 Shares and 80,499,915 Shares, Respectively
  $ 81,258     $ 80,500  
Paid in Capital
    627,871       602,839  
Earnings Reinvested in the Business
    1,038,869       948,293  
 
Total Common Shareholder Equity Before Items of Other Comprehensive Loss
    1,747,998       1,631,632  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
    (38,902 )     (42,396 )
 
Total Comprehensive Shareholders’ Equity
    1,709,096       1,589,236  
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion
    1,049,000       1,249,000  
 
Total Capitalization
    2,758,096       2,838,236  
 
 
               
Current and Accrued Liabilities
               
Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper
           
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
    200,000        
Accounts Payable
    109,145       90,723  
Amounts Payable to Customers
    64,336       105,778  
Dividends Payable
    27,222       26,967  
Interest Payable on Long-Term Debt
    30,512       32,031  
Customer Advances
    2,715       24,555  
Customer Security Deposits
    19,426       17,430  
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities
    110,174       18,875  
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments
    16,632       2,148  
 
 
    580,162       318,507  
 
 
               
Deferred Credits
               
Deferred Income Taxes
    720,584       663,876  
Taxes Refundable to Customers
    67,053       67,046  
Unamortized Investment Tax Credit
    3,638       3,989  
Cost of Removal Regulatory Liability
    121,954       105,546  
Other Regulatory Liabilities
    87,215       120,229  
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Liabilities
    414,479       415,888  
Asset Retirement Obligations
    92,461       91,373  
Other Deferred Credits
    140,146       144,439  
 
 
    1,647,530       1,612,386  
 
Commitments and Contingencies
           
 
 
               
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
  $ 4,985,788     $ 4,769,129  
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
National Fuel Gas Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
                 
    Six Months Ended
    March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)   2010   2009
     
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
               
Net Income Available for Common Stock
  $ 144,927     $ 30,806  
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
               
Provided by Operating Activities:
               
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties
          182,811  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
    91,846       84,056  
Deferred Income Taxes
    41,796       (80,857 )
Income from Unconsolidated Subsidiaries, Net of Cash Distributions
    1,228       808  
Impairment of Investment in Partnership
          1,804  
Excess Tax Benefits Associated with Stock-Based Compensation Awards
    (13,437 )     (5,927 )
Other
    6,270       8,997  
Change in:
               
Hedging Collateral Deposits
    (12,809 )     (22,194 )
Receivables and Unbilled Utility Revenue
    (101,881 )     (149,895 )
Gas Stored Underground and Materials and Supplies
    37,932       79,128  
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs
          34,782  
Prepayments and Other Current Assets
    31,318       16,954  
Accounts Payable
    12,179       (45,186 )
Amounts Payable to Customers
    (41,442 )     18,897  
Customer Advances
    (21,840 )     (31,189 )
Customer Security Deposits
    1,996       968  
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities
    90,498       215,281  
Other Assets
    11,285       2,399  
Other Liabilities
    (535 )     (4,301 )
 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    279,331       338,142  
 
 
               
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Capital Expenditures
    (230,530 )     (181,158 )
Net Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Gas Producing Properties
          60  
Other
    (115 )     (595 )
 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
    (230,645 )     (181,693 )
 
 
               
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Excess Tax Benefits Associated with Stock-Based Compensation Awards
    13,437       5,927  
Reduction of Long-Term Debt
          (100,000 )
Dividends Paid on Common Stock
    (54,096 )     (51,556 )
Net Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock
    10,724       6,989  
 
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
    (29,935 )     (138,640 )
 
 
               
Net Increase in Cash and Temporary Cash Investments
    18,751       17,809  
 
               
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments at October 1
    408,053       68,239  
 
 
               
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments at March 31
  $ 426,804     $ 86,048  
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
National Fuel Gas Company
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended
    March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)   2010   2009
     
Net Income Available for Common Stock
  $ 80,428     $ 73,484  
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax:
               
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
    47       34  
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Available for Sale Arising During the Period
    1,158       (2,945 )
Unrealized Gain on Derivative Financial Instruments Arising During the Period
    27,633       32,923  
Reclassification Adjustment for Realized Gains on Derivative Financial Instruments in Net Income
    (5,590 )     (39,615 )
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax
    23,248       (9,603 )
 
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Available for Sale Arising During the Period
    438       (1,113 )
Income Tax Expense Related to Unrealized Gain on Derivative Financial Instruments Arising During the Period
    11,310       13,399  
Reclassification Adjustment for Income Tax Expense on Realized Gains from Derivative Financial Instruments In Net Income
    (2,300 )     (15,959 )
 
Income Taxes — Net
    9,448       (3,673 )
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
    13,800       (5,930 )
 
Comprehensive Income
  $ 94,228     $ 67,554  
 
                 
    Six Months Ended
    March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)   2010   2009
     
Net Income Available for Common Stock
  $ 144,927     $ 30,806  
 
Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax:
               
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
    64       42  
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Available for Sale Arising During the Period
    445       (12,977 )
Unrealized Gain on Derivative Financial Instruments Arising During the Period
    22,780       151,802  
Reclassification Adjustment for Realized (Gains) Losses on Derivative Financial Instruments in Net Income
    (17,643 )     (68,407 )
 
Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax
    5,646       70,460  
 
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Available for Sale Arising During the Period
    167       (4,904 )
Income Tax Expense Related to Unrealized Gain on Derivative Financial Instruments Arising During the Period
    9,247       61,526  
Reclassification Adjustment for Income Tax (Expense) Benefit on Realized (Gains) Losses from Derivative Financial Instruments In Net Income
    (7,262 )     (27,370 )
 
Income Taxes — Net
    2,152       29,252  
 
Other Comprehensive Income
    3,494       41,208  
 
Comprehensive Income
  $ 148,421     $ 72,014  
 
 
               
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
National Fuel Gas Company
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation. The Company consolidates its majority owned entities. The equity method is used to account for minority owned entities. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.
     The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassification. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.
Earnings for Interim Periods. The Company, in its opinion, has included all adjustments that are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the reported periods. The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included herein, should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 that are included in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K. The consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2010 will be audited by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm after the end of the fiscal year.
     The earnings for the six months ended March 31, 2010 should not be taken as a prediction of earnings for the entire fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. Most of the business of the Utility and Energy Marketing segments is seasonal in nature and is influenced by weather conditions. Due to the seasonal nature of the heating business in the Utility and Energy Marketing segments, earnings during the winter months normally represent a substantial part of the earnings that those segments are expected to achieve for the entire fiscal year. The Company’s business segments are discussed more fully in Note 7 — Business Segment Information.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. For purposes of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of generally three months or less to be cash equivalents.
     At March 31, 2010, the Company accrued $15.3 million of capital expenditures in the Exploration and Production segment, the majority of which was in the Appalachian region. This amount was excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at March 31, 2010 since it represented a non-cash investing activity at that date.
     At September 30, 2009, the Company accrued $9.1 million of capital expenditures in the Exploration and Production segment, the majority of which was in the Appalachian region. The Company also accrued $0.7 million of capital expenditures in the All Other category related to the construction of the Midstream Covington Gathering System. These amounts were excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at September 30, 2009 since they represented non-cash investing activities at that date. These capital expenditures were paid during the quarter ended December 31, 2009 and have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2010.
     At March 31, 2009, the Company accrued $7.7 million of capital expenditures in the Exploration and Production segment, the majority of which was in the Appalachian region. The Company also accrued $0.9 million of capital expenditures at March 31, 2009 related to the completion of the Empire Connector project. These amounts were excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at March 31, 2009 since they represent non-cash investing activities at that date.

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
     At September 30, 2008, the Company accrued $16.8 million of capital expenditures related to the construction of the Empire Connector project. This amount was excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at September 30, 2008 since it represented a non-cash investing activity at that date. These capital expenditures were paid during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 and have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2009.
Hedging Collateral Deposits. This is an account title for cash held in margin accounts funded by the Company to serve as collateral for open hedging positions. At March 31, 2010, the Company had hedging collateral deposits of $8.5 million related to its exchange-traded futures contracts and $5.2 million related to its over-the-counter crude oil swap agreements. It is the Company’s policy to not offset hedging collateral deposits paid or received against the derivative financial instruments liability or asset balances.
Cash Held in Escrow. On July 20, 2009, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary in the Exploration and Production segment, Seneca, acquired Ivanhoe Energy’s United States oil and gas operations for approximately $39.2 million in cash (including cash acquired of $4.3 million). The cash acquired at acquisition includes $2 million held in escrow at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009. Seneca placed this amount in escrow as part of the purchase price, and in accordance with the purchase agreement, this amount will remain in escrow for one year from the closing of the transaction provided there are no pending disputes or actions regarding obligations and liabilities required to be satisfied or discharged by Ivanhoe Energy. If no disputes occur, this cash will be released to Ivanhoe Energy.
Gas Stored Underground — Current. In the Utility segment, gas stored underground — current is carried at lower of cost or market, on a LIFO method. Gas stored underground — current normally declines during the first and second quarters of the year and is replenished during the third and fourth quarters. In the Utility segment, the current cost of replacing gas withdrawn from storage is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income and a reserve for gas replacement is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Other Accruals and Current Liabilities.” Such reserve, which amounted to $87.9 million at March 31, 2010, is reduced to zero by September 30 of each year as the inventory is replenished.
Property, Plant and Equipment. In the Company’s Exploration and Production segment, oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development costs are capitalized under the full cost method of accounting. Under this methodology, all costs associated with property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized, including internal costs directly identified with acquisition, exploration and development activities. The internal costs that are capitalized do not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead, or similar activities. The Company does not recognize any gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of oil and gas properties unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and gas attributable to a cost center.
     Capitalized costs include costs related to unproved properties, which are excluded from amortization until proved reserves are found or it is determined that the unproved properties are impaired. Such costs amounted to $135.1 million at March 31, 2010. All costs related to unproved properties are reviewed quarterly to determine if impairment has occurred. The amount of any impairment is transferred to the pool of capitalized costs being amortized.
     Capitalized costs are subject to the SEC full cost ceiling test. The ceiling test, which is performed each quarter, determines a limit, or ceiling, on the amount of property acquisition, exploration and development costs that can be capitalized. The ceiling under this test represents (a) the present value of estimated future net cash flows, excluding future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations that have been accrued on the balance sheet, using a discount factor of 10%, which is computed by applying current market prices of oil and gas (as adjusted for hedging) to estimated future production of proved oil and gas reserves as of the date of the latest balance sheet, less estimated future expenditures, plus (b) the cost of unevaluated properties not being depleted, less (c) income tax effects related to the differences between the book and tax basis of the properties. If capitalized costs, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization and related deferred income taxes, exceed the ceiling at the end of any quarter, a permanent impairment is required to be charged to earnings in that quarter. The Company’s

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
capitalized costs exceeded the full cost ceiling for the Company’s oil and gas properties at December 31, 2008. As a result, the Company recognized a pre-tax impairment of $182.8 million at December 31, 2008. Deferred income taxes of $74.6 million were recorded associated with this impairment. At March 31, 2010, the Company’s capitalized costs were below the full cost ceiling for the Company’s oil and gas properties. As a result, an impairment charge was not required at March 31, 2010.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. The components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net of related tax effect, are as follows (in thousands):
                 
    At March 31, 2010     At September 30, 2009  
Funded Status of the Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
  $ (63,802 )   $ (63,802 )
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
    (40 )     (104 )
Net Unrealized Gain on Derivative Financial Instruments
    21,643       18,491  
Net Unrealized Gain on Securities Available for Sale
    3,297       3,019  
 
           
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
  $ (38,902 )   $ (42,396 )
 
           
Earnings Per Common Share. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available for common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. For purposes of determining earnings per common share, the only potentially dilutive securities the Company has outstanding are stock options and SARs. The diluted weighted average shares outstanding shown on the Consolidated Statements of Income reflects the potential dilution as a result of these stock options and SARs as determined using the Treasury Stock Method. Stock options and SARs that are antidilutive are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share. For both the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2010, there were no stock options excluded as being antidilutive. There were 145,450 and 84,058 SARs excluded as being antidilutive for the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2010, respectively. For both the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2009, there were 765,000 stock options excluded as being antidilutive. In addition, there were 402,858 and 365,000 SARs excluded as being antidilutive for the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2009, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation. During the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2010, the Company granted 520,500 performance-based SARs having a weighted average exercise price of $52.10 per share. The weighted average grant date fair value of these SARs was $12.06 per share. These SARs may be settled in cash, in shares of common stock of the Company, or in a combination of cash and shares of common stock of the Company, as determined by the Company. These SARs are considered equity awards under the current authoritative guidance for stock-based compensation. The accounting for those SARs is the same as the accounting for stock options. The performance-based SARs granted during the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2010 vest and become exercisable annually in one-third increments, provided that a performance condition is met. The performance condition for each fiscal year, generally stated, is an increase over the prior fiscal year of at least five percent in certain oil and natural gas production of the Exploration and Production segment. The weighted average grant date fair value of these performance-based SARs granted during the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2010 was estimated on the date of grant using the same accounting treatment that is applied for stock options, and assumes that the performance conditions specified will be achieved. If such conditions are not met or it is not considered probable that such conditions will be met, no compensation expense is recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense is reversed.
     There were no stock options granted during the quarter or six months ended March 31, 2010. The Company granted 4,000 restricted share awards (non-vested stock as defined by the current accounting literature) during the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2010. The weighted average fair value of such restricted shares was $52.10 per share.

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
New Authoritative Accounting and Financial Reporting Guidance. In September 2006, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. This guidance serves to clarify the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect that fair-value measurements have on earnings. This guidance is to be applied whenever assets or liabilities are to be measured at fair value. On October 1, 2008, the Company adopted this guidance for financial assets and financial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. The FASB’s authoritative guidance for using fair value to measure nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on a nonrecurring basis became effective during the quarter ended December 31, 2009. The Company’s nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities were not impacted by this guidance during the six months ended March 31, 2010. The Company has identified Goodwill as being the major nonfinancial asset that may be impacted by the adoption of this guidance. The impact of this guidance will be known when the Company performs its annual test for goodwill impairment at the end of the fiscal year; however, at this time, it is not expected to be material. The Company has identified Asset Retirement Obligations as a nonfinancial liability that may be impacted by the adoption of the guidance. The impact of this guidance will be known when the Company recognizes new asset retirement obligations. However, at this time, the Company believes the impact of the guidance will be immaterial. Additionally, in February 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance that includes additional requirements and disclosures regarding fair value measurements. The guidance now requires the gross presentation of activity within the Level 3 roll forward and requires disclosure of details on transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 fair value measurements. It also provides further clarification on the level of disaggregation of fair value measurements and disclosures on inputs and valuation techniques. Effective with this March 31, 2010 Form 10-Q, the Company has updated its disclosures to reflect the new requirements in Note 2 — Fair Value Measurements, except for the Level 3 roll forward gross presentation, which will be effective as of the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2012.
     On December 31, 2008, the SEC issued a final rule on Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting. The final rule modifies the SEC’s reporting and disclosure rules for oil and gas reserves and aligns the full cost accounting rules with the revised disclosures. The most notable changes of the final rule include the replacement of the single day period-end pricing used to value oil and gas reserves with a 12-month average of the first day of the month price for each month within the reporting period. The final rule also permits voluntary disclosure of probable and possible reserves, a disclosure previously prohibited by SEC rules. Additionally, on January 6, 2010, the FASB amended the oil and gas accounting standards to conform to the SEC final rule on Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting. The revised reporting and disclosure requirements will be effective for the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2010. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of these rules will have on its consolidated financial statements and MD&A disclosures.
     In March 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that expands the disclosures required in an employer’s financial statements about pension and other post-retirement benefit plan assets. The additional disclosures include more details on how investment allocation decisions are made, the plan’s investment policies and strategies, the major categories of plan assets, the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets, the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets for the period, and disclosure regarding significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. The additional disclosure requirements are required for the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this authoritative guidance will have on its consolidated financial statement disclosures.
     In June 2009, the FASB issued amended authoritative guidance to improve and clarify financial reporting requirements by companies involved with variable interest entities. The new guidance requires a company to perform an analysis to determine whether the company’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. The analysis also assists in identifying the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. This authoritative guidance will be effective as of the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this authoritative guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
Note 2 — Fair Value Measurements
     The FASB authoritative guidance regarding fair value measurements establishes a fair-value hierarchy and prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques that measure fair value. Those inputs are prioritized into three levels. Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly at the measurement date. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability at the measurement date. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
     The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s financial assets and liabilities (as applicable) that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. In January 2010, the FASB issued amended authoritative guidance respecting disclosures related to fair value measurements. The amended guidance requires disclosure of financial instruments and liabilities by class of assets and liabilities (not major category of assets and liabilities). In addition, this amended guidance also requires enhanced disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value and disclosures of transfers in and out of Level 1 or 2. During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company adopted this amended guidance.
                                 
Recurring Fair Value Measures   At fair value as of March 31, 2010
(Thousands of Dollars)   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
 
 
                               
Assets:
                               
Cash Equivalents — Money Market Mutual Funds
  $ 319,891     $     $     $ 319,891  
Derivative Financial Instruments:
                               
Commodity Futures Contracts — Gas
    1,013                   1,013  
Over the Counter Swaps — Oil
          (100 )     (2,349 )     (2,449 )
Over the Counter Swaps — Gas
          50,286             50,286  
Other Investments:
                               
Balanced Equity Mutual Fund
    16,972                   16,972  
Common Stock — Financial Services Industry
    7,781                   7,781  
Other Common Stock
    214                   214  
Hedging Collateral Deposits
    13,657                   13,657  
     
Total
  $ 359,528     $ 50,186     $ (2,349 )   $ 407,365  
     
 
                               
Liabilities:
                               
Derivative Financial Instruments:
                               
Commodity Futures Contracts
  $ 4,816     $     $     $ 4,816  
Over the Counter Swaps — Oil
                11,751       11,751  
Over the Counter Swaps — Gas
          65             65  
     
Total
  $ 4,816     $ 65     $ 11,751     $ 16,632  
     
 
                               
Total Net Assets/(Liabilities)
  $ 354,712     $ 50,121     $ (14,100 )   $ 390,733  
     

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
                                 
Recurring Fair Value Measures   At fair value as of September 30, 2009
(Thousands of Dollars)   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
 
 
                               
Assets:
                               
Cash Equivalents
  $ 390,462     $     $     $ 390,462  
Derivative Financial Instruments
    5,312       12,536       26,969       44,817  
Other Investments
    24,276                   24,276  
Hedging Collateral Deposits
    848                   848  
     
Total
  $ 420,898     $ 12,536     $ 26,969     $ 460,403  
     
 
                               
Liabilities:
                               
Derivative Financial Instruments
  $     $ 2,148     $     $ 2,148  
     
Total
  $     $ 2,148     $     $ 2,148  
     
 
                               
Total Net Assets/(Liabilities)
  $ 420,898     $ 10,388     $ 26,969     $ 458,255  
     
Derivative Financial Instruments
     At March 31, 2010, the derivative financial instruments reported in Level 1 consist of NYMEX futures contracts used in the Company’s Energy Marketing and Pipeline and Storage segments (at September 30, 2009, the derivative financial instruments reported in Level 1 consist of NYMEX futures used in the Company’s Energy Marketing segment). Hedging collateral deposits of $8.5 million associated with these futures contracts have been reported in Level 1 as well. The derivative financial instruments reported in Level 2 consist of natural gas and some of the crude oil swap agreements used in the Company’s Exploration and Production segment and natural gas swap agreements used in the Energy Marketing segment at March 31, 2010 (at September 30, 2009, the derivative financial instruments reported in Level 2 consist of natural gas swap agreements used in the Company’s Exploration and Production and Energy Marketing segments). The fair value of these swap agreements is based on an internal, discounted cash flow model that uses observable inputs (i.e. LIBOR based discount rates and basis differential information, if applicable, at active natural gas/crude oil trading markets). At March 31, 2010, the derivative financial instruments reported in Level 3 consist of a majority of the Exploration and Production segment’s crude oil swap agreements (at September 30, 2009, all of the Exploration and Production segment’s crude oil swap agreements were reported as Level 3). Hedging collateral deposits of $5.2 million associated with these oil swap agreements have been reported in Level 1. The fair value of the crude oil swap agreements is based on an internal, discounted cash flow model that uses both observable (i.e. LIBOR based discount rates) and unobservable inputs (i.e. basis differential information of inactive crude oil trading markets). Based on an assessment of the counterparties’ credit risk, the fair market value of the price swap agreements reported as Level 2 and Level 3 assets have been reduced by $1.2 million and $0.9 million at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, respectively. The fair market value of the price swap agreements reported as Level 2 and Level 3 liabilities at March 31, 2010 have been reduced by $0.2 million and the price swap agreements reported as Level 2 liabilities at September 30, 2009 have been reduced by less than $0.1 million based on an assessment of the Company’s credit risk. These credit reserves were determined by applying default probabilities to the anticipated cash flows that the Company is either expecting from its counterparties or expecting to pay to its counterparties.
     The tables listed below provide reconciliations of the beginning and ending net balances for assets and liabilities measured at fair value and classified as Level 3 for the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, no transfers in or out of Level 1 or Level 2 occurred.

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
Fair Value Measurements Using Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
                                         
            Total Gains/Losses -        
            Realized and Unrealized        
                    Included in Other   Transfer    
    January 1,   Included in   Comprehensive   In/Out of   March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)   2010   Earnings   Income (Loss)   Level 3   2010
Derivative Financial Instruments(2)
  $ (149 )   $ (1,662 )(1)   $ (12,289 )   $   —     $ (14,100 )
 
(1)   Amounts are reported in Operating Revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
 
(2)   Derivative Financial Instruments are shown on a net basis.
Fair Value Measurements Using Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
                                         
            Total Gains/Losses -        
            Realized and Unrealized        
                    Included in Other   Transfer    
    October 1,   Included in   Comprehensive   In/Out of   March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)   2009   Earnings   Income (Loss)   Level 3   2010
Derivative Financial Instruments(2)
  $ 26,969     $ (4,797 )(1)   $ (36,272 )   $   —       ($14,100 )
 
(1)   Amounts are reported in Operating Revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the six months ended March 31, 2010.
 
(2)   Derivative Financial Instruments are shown on a net basis.
Fair Value Measurements Using Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
                                         
            Total Gains/Losses -        
            Realized and Unrealized        
                    Included in Other   Transfer    
    January 1,   Included in   Comprehensive   In/Out of   March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)   2009   Earnings   Income (Loss)   Level 3   2009
Derivative Financial Instruments(2)
  $ 83,030     $ (19,961 )(1)   $ 16,090     $   —     $ 79,159  
 
(1)   Amounts are reported in Operating Revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
 
(2)   Derivative Financial Instruments are shown on a net basis.
Fair Value Measurements Using Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
                                         
            Total Gains/Losses -        
            Realized and Unrealized        
                    Included in Other   Transfer    
    October 1,   Included in   Comprehensive   In/Out of   March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)   2008   Earnings   Income (Loss)   Level 3   2009
Derivative Financial Instruments(2)
  $ 6,333     $ (35,781 )(1)   $ 108,607     $   —     $ 79,159  
 
(1)   Amounts are reported in Operating Revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the six months ended March 31, 2009.
 
(2)   Derivative Financial Instruments are shown on a net basis.

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
Note 3 — Financial Instruments
Long-Term Debt. The fair market value of the Company’s debt, as presented in the table below, was determined using a discounted cash flow model, which incorporates the Company’s credit risk in determining the yield, and subsequently, the fair market value of the debt. Based on these criteria, the fair market value of long-term debt, including current portion, was as follows:
                                 
    March 31, 2010   September 30, 2009
    Carrying       Carrying    
    Amount   Fair Value   Amount   Fair Value
Long-Term Debt
  $ 1,249,000     $ 1,358,050     $ 1,249,000     $ 1,347,368  
Other Investments. Investments in life insurance are stated at their cash surrender values or net present value as discussed below. Investments in an equity mutual fund and the stock of an insurance company (marketable equity securities), as discussed below, are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices.
     Other investments include cash surrender values of insurance contracts (net present value in the case of split-dollar collateral assignment arrangements) and marketable equity securities. The values of the insurance contracts amounted to $54.3 million at March 31, 2010 and $54.2 million at September 30, 2009. The fair value of the equity mutual fund was $17.0 million at March 31, 2010 and $15.8 million at September 30, 2009. The gross unrealized loss on this equity mutual fund was $0.1 million at March 31, 2010 and $1.0 million at September 30, 2009. Management does not consider this investment to be other than temporarily impaired. The fair value of the stock of an insurance company was $7.8 million at March 31, 2010 and $8.3 million at September 30, 2009. The gross unrealized gain on this stock was $5.4 million at March 31, 2010 and $5.9 million at September 30, 2009. The insurance contracts and marketable equity securities are primarily informal funding mechanisms for various benefit obligations the Company has to certain employees.
Derivative Financial Instruments
     The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is commodity price risk in the Exploration and Production, Energy Marketing and Pipeline and Storage segments. The Company enters into futures contracts and over-the-counter swap agreements for natural gas and crude oil to manage the price risk associated with forecasted sales of gas and oil. The Company also enters into futures contracts and swaps to manage the risk associated with forecasted gas purchases, storage of gas, and withdrawal of gas from storage to meet customer demand. The duration of the Company’s hedges do not typically exceed 3 years.
     The Company has presented its net derivative assets and liabilities on its Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 as shown in the table below.

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
                                 
    Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
    (Thousands of Dollars)
    Asset Derivatives   Liability Derivatives
Derivatives                    
Designated as   Consolidated           Consolidated    
Hedging   Balance Sheet           Balance Sheet    
Instruments   Location   Fair Value   Location   Fair Value
Commodity Contracts
                   
— at March 31,
  Fair Value of Derivative           Fair Value of Derivative        
2010
  Financial Instruments   $ 48,850     Financial Instruments   $ 16,632  
 
                   
Commodity Contracts
                   
— at September 30,
  Fair Value of Derivative           Fair Value of Derivative        
2009
  Financial Instruments   $ 44,817     Financial Instruments   $ 2,148  
     The following table discloses the fair value of derivative contracts on a gross-contract basis as opposed to the net-contract basis presentation on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009.
                 
Derivatives   Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Designated as   (Thousands of Dollars)
Hedging   Gross Asset Derivatives   Gross Liability Derivatives
Instruments   Fair Value   Fair Value
Commodity Contracts — at March 31, 2010
  $ 64,776     $ 32,558  
Commodity Contracts — at September 30, 2009
  $ 63,601     $ 20,932  
Cash flow hedges
     For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.
     As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s Exploration and Production segment had the following commodity derivative contracts (swaps) outstanding to hedge forecasted sales (where the Company uses short positions (i.e. positions that pay-off in the event of commodity price decline) to mitigate the risk of decreasing revenues and earnings):
     
Commodity   Units
Natural Gas
  34.0 Bcf (all short positions)
Crude Oil
  2,830,000 Bbls (all short positions)

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Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
     As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s Energy Marketing segment had the following commodity derivative contracts (futures contracts and swaps) outstanding to hedge forecasted sales (where the Company uses short positions to mitigate the risk associated with natural gas price decreases and its impact on decreasing revenues and earnings) and purchases (where the Company uses long positions (i.e. positions that pay-off in the event of commodity price increases) to mitigate the risk of increasing natural gas prices, which would lead to increased purchased gas expense and decreased earnings):
     
Commodity   Units
Natural Gas
  2.2 Bcf (1.7 Bcf short positions (forecasted storage withdrawals) and 0.5 Bcf long positions (forecasted storage injections))
     As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s Pipeline and Storage segment has the following commodity derivative contracts (futures contracts) outstanding to hedge forecasted sales (where the Company uses short positions to mitigate the risk associated with natural gas price decreases and its impact on decreasing revenues and earnings):
     
Commodity   Units
Natural Gas
  0.9 Bcf (all short positions)
     As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s Exploration and Production segment had $35.1 million ($20.6 million after tax) of gains included in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance. It is expected that $24.7 million ($14.5 million after tax) of those gains will be reclassified into the Consolidated Statement of Income within the next 12 months as the expected sales of the underlying commodities occur. See Note 1, under Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), for the after-tax gain pertaining to derivative financial instruments (Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments in Note 1 includes the Exploration and Production, Energy Marketing and Pipeline and Storage segments).
     As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s Energy Marketing segment had $1.1 million ($0.7 million after tax) of gains included in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance. It is expected that $0.2 million ($0.1 million after tax) of these gains will be reclassified into the Consolidated Statement of Income within the next 12 months as the sales and purchases of the underlying commodities occur. See Note 1, under Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), for the after-tax gain pertaining to derivative financial instruments (Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments in Note 1 includes the Exploration and Production, Energy Marketing and Pipeline and Storage segments).
     As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s Pipeline and Storage segment had $0.5 million ($0.3 million after tax) of gains included in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance. It is expected that the full amount will be reclassified into the Consolidated Statement of Income within the next 12 months as the expected sales of the underlying commodities occur. See Note 1, under Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), for the after-tax gain pertaining to derivative financial instruments (Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments in Note 1 includes the Exploration and Production, Energy Marketing and Pipeline and Storage segments).

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Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
The Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Statement of Financial Performance for the
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Thousands of Dollars)
                                                                 
                            Amount of Derivative        
                            Gain or (Loss)        
                    Location of   Reclassified from        
    Amount of Derivative   Derivative Gain or   Accumulated Other   Location of   Derivative Gain or
    Gain or (Loss)   (Loss) Reclassified   Comprehensive   Derivative Gain or   (Loss) Recognized
    Recognized in   from Accumulated   Income   (Loss) Recognized   in the Consolidated
    Other Comprehensive   Other Comprehensive   (Loss) on the   in the Consolidated   Statement of Income
    Income (Loss) on the   Income (Loss) on   Consolidated Balance   Statement of Income   (Ineffective Portion
    Consolidated Statement   the Consolidated   Sheet into the   (Ineffective   and Amount Excluded
    of Comprehensive   Balance Sheet into   Consolidated Statement   Portion and Amount   from Effectiveness
Derivatives in Cash   Income (Loss) (Effective   the Consolidated   of Income (Effective   Excluded from   Testing) for the
Flow Hedging   Portion) for the Three   Statement of Income   Portion) for Three   Effectiveness   Three Months Ended
Relationships   Months Ended March 31,   (Effective Portion)   Months Ended March 31,   Testing)   March 31,
    2010   2009           2010   2009           2010   2009
Commodity Contracts — Exploration & Production segment
  $ 24,375     $ 30,874     Operating Revenue   $ 5,538     $ 28,407     Operating Revenue   $     $ (9 )
Commodity Contracts — Energy Marketing segment
  $ 2,278     $ 2,049     Purchased Gas   $ (470 )   $ 11,208     Operating Revenue   $     $  
Commodity Contracts — Pipeline & Storage segment
  $ 980     $     Operating Revenue   $ 522     $     Operating Revenue   $     $  
                                                     
Total
  $ 27,633     $ 32,923             $ 5,590     $ 39,615             $     $ (9 )
                                                     

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Table of Contents

Item 1.Financial Statements (Cont.)
The Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Statement of Financial Performance for the
Six Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Thousands of Dollars)
                                                                 
                            Amount of Derivative        
                    Location of   Gain or (Loss)        
    Amount of Derivative   Derivative Gain or   Reclassified from   Location of   Derivative Gain or (Loss)
    Gain or (Loss)   (Loss) Reclassified   Accumulated Other   Derivative Gain or   Recognized in the
    Recognized in Other   from Accumulated   Comprehensive Income   (Loss) Recognized   Consolidated Statement
    Comprehensive Income   Other Comprehensive   (Loss) on the   in the Consolidated   of Income (Ineffective
    (Loss) on the   Income (Loss) on   Consolidated Balance   Statement of Income   Portion and
    Consolidated Statement   the Consolidated   Sheet into the   (Ineffective   Amount Excluded
    of Comprehensive Income   Balance Sheet into   Consolidated Statement   Portion and Amount   from Effectiveness
Derivatives in Cash   (Loss) (Effective   the Consolidated   of Income (Effective   Excluded from   Testing) for the Six
Flow Hedging   Portion) for the Six Months   Statement of Income   Portion) for Six Months   Effectiveness   Months Ended
Relationships   Ended March 31,   (Effective Portion)   Ended March 31,   Testing)   March 31,
    2010   2009           2010   2009           2010   2009
Commodity Contracts — Exploration & Production segment
  $ 16,465     $ 140,777     Operating Revenue   $ 17,578     $ 48,384     Operating Revenue   $     $ 266  
Commodity Contracts — Energy Marketing segment
  $ 5,303     $ 10,842     Purchased Gas   $ (447 )   $ 19,415     Operating Revenue   $     $  
Commodity Contracts — Pipeline & Storage segment
  $ 1,012     $     Operating Revenue   $ 512     $ 1,290     Operating Revenue   $     $  
Commodity Contracts — All Other (1)
  $     $ 183     Purchased Gas   $     $ (682 )   Purchased Gas   $     $  
                                                     
Total
  $ 22,780     $ 151,802             $ 17,643     $ 68,407             $     $ 266  
                                                     
 
(1)   There were no open hedging positions at March 31, 2010. As such there is no mention of these positions in the preceeding sections of this footnote.
Fair value hedges
     The Company’s Energy Marketing segment utilizes fair value hedges to mitigate risk associated with fixed price sales commitments, fixed price purchase commitments, and commitments related to the injection and withdrawal of storage gas. With respect to fixed price sales commitments, the Company enters into long positions to mitigate the risk of price increases for natural gas supplies that could occur after the Company enters into fixed price sales agreements with its customers. With respect to fixed price purchase commitments, the Company enters into short positions to mitigate the risk of price decreases that could

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
occur after the Company locks into fixed price purchase deals with its suppliers. Fair value hedges related to the injection and withdrawal of storage gas impact purchased gas expense. As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s Energy Marketing segment had fair value hedges covering approximately 7.1 Bcf (5.9 Bcf of fixed price sales commitments (all long positions) and 1.2 Bcf of fixed price purchase commitments (all short positions)). For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk completely offset each other in current earnings, as shown below.
                 
Consolidated        
Statement of Income   Gain/(Loss) on Derivative   Gain/(Loss) on Commitment
Operating Revenues
  $ (3,437,000 )   $ 3,437,000  
Purchased Gas
  $ 17,000     $ (17,000 )
                 
            Amount of Derivative Gain or (Loss)
            Recognized in the Consolidated
Derivatives in   Location of Derivative Gain or (Loss)   Statement of Income for the Six
Fair Value Hedging   Recognized in the Consolidated   Months Ended March 31, 2010
Relationships   Statement of Income   (In Thousands)
Commodity Contracts — Energy Marketing segment (1)
  Operating Revenues   $ (3,437 )
Commodity Contracts — Energy Marketing segment (2)
  Purchased Gas   $ 113  
Commodity Contracts — Energy Marketing segment (3)
  Purchased Gas   $ (96 )
 
         
 
 
 
          $ (3,420 )
 
         
 
 
 
(1)   Represents hedging of fixed price sales commitments of natural gas.
 
(2)   Represents hedging of fixed price purchase commitments of natural gas.
 
(3)   Represents hedging of storage withdrawal commitments of natural gas.
     The Company may be exposed to credit risk on any of the derivative financial instruments that are in a gain position. Credit risk relates to the risk of loss that the Company would incur as a result of nonperformance by counterparties pursuant to the terms of their contractual obligations. To mitigate such credit risk, management performs a credit check, and then on a quarterly basis monitors counterparty credit exposure. The majority of the Company’s counterparties are financial institutions and energy traders. The Company has over-the-counter swap positions with eleven counterparties of which ten of the eleven counterparties are in a net gain position. On average, the Company has $4.8 million of credit exposure per counterparty in a gain position. The Company had not received any collateral from these counterparties at March 31, 2010 since the Company’s gain position on such derivative financial instruments had not exceeded the established thresholds at which the counterparties would be required to post collateral.
     As of March 31, 2010, nine of the eleven counterparties to the Company’s outstanding derivative instrument contracts (specifically the over-the-counter swaps) had a common credit-risk related contingency feature. In the event the Company’s credit rating increases or falls below a certain threshold (the lower of the S&P or Moody’s Debt Rating), the available credit extended to the Company would either increase or decrease. A decline in the Company’s credit rating, in and of itself, would not cause the Company to be required to increase the level of its hedging collateral deposits (in the form of cash deposits, letters of credit or treasury debt instruments). If the Company’s outstanding derivative instrument contracts were in a liability position and the Company’s credit rating declined, then additional hedging collateral deposits would be required. At March 31, 2010, the fair market value of the derivative financial instrument assets with a credit-risk related contingency feature was $31.1 million according to the Company’s internal model (discussed in Note 2 — Fair Value Measurements). At March 31, 2010, the fair market value of the derivative financial instrument liability with a credit-risk related contingency feature was $11.8 million according to the Company’s internal model (discussed in Note 2 — Fair Value Measurements). The Company’s internal model may yield a different fair value than the fair value determined by the Company’s counterparties. The Company’s

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
requirement to post hedging collateral deposits is based on the fair value determined by the Company’s counterparties. For its over-the-counter crude oil swap agreements, which are in a liability position, the Company was required to post $5.2 million in hedging collateral deposits at March 31, 2010. This is discussed in Note 1 under Hedging Collateral Deposits.
     For its exchange traded futures contracts, which are in a liability position, the Company had posted $8.5 million in hedging collateral as of March 31, 2010. As these are exchange traded futures contracts, there are no specific credit-risk related contingency features. The Company posts hedging collateral based on open positions and margin requirements. This is discussed in Note 1 under Hedging Collateral Deposits.
Note 4 — Income Taxes
     The components of federal and state income taxes included in the Consolidated Statements of Income are as follows (in thousands):
                 
    Six Months Ended
    March 31,
    2010   2009
     
Current Income Taxes
               
Federal
  $ 39,245     $ 73,235  
State
    9,394       19,543  
 
               
Deferred Income Taxes
               
Federal
    33,447       (64,045 )
State
    8,348       (16,811 )
     
 
    90,434       11,922  
 
               
Deferred Investment Tax Credit
    (348 )     (348 )
     
 
               
Total Income Taxes
  $ 90,086     $ 11,574  
     
 
               
Presented as Follows:
               
Other Income
  $ (348 )   $ (348 )
Income Tax Expense
    90,434       11,922  
     
 
               
Total Income Taxes
  $ 90,086     $ 11,574  
     
     Total income taxes as reported differ from the amounts that were computed by applying the federal income tax rate to income before income taxes. The following is a reconciliation of this difference (in thousands):
                 
    Six Months Ended
    March 31,
    2010   2009
     
 
               
Income Before Income Taxes
  $ 235,013     $ 42,380  
     
 
               
Income Tax Expense, Computed at Federal Statutory Rate of 35%
  $ 82,255     $ 14,833  
 
               
Increase (Reduction) in Taxes Resulting From:
               
State Income Taxes
    11,532       1,776  
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
    (122 )     (1,072 )
ESOP Dividend Deduction
    (1,067 )     (1,050 )
Reduced Tax Rate on Timber Gains
          (920 )
Keyman Life Insurance Proceeds
    (92 )     (824 )
Miscellaneous
    (2,420 )     (1,169 )
     
 
               
Total Income Taxes
  $ 90,086     $ 11,574  
     

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
     Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets were as follows (in thousands):
                 
    At March 31, 2010   At September 30, 2009
     
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
               
Property, Plant and Equipment
  $ 760,928     $ 733,581  
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Costs
    178,896       178,440  
Other
    56,160       54,977  
     
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities
    995,984       966,998  
     
 
               
Deferred Tax Assets:
               
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Costs
    (213,688 )     (212,299 )
Other
    (102,312 )     (144,686 )
     
Total Deferred Tax Assets
    (316,000 )     (356,985 )
     
Total Net Deferred Income Taxes
  $ 679,984     $ 610,013  
     
 
               
Presented as Follows:
               
Net Deferred Tax Liability/(Asset) — Current
  $ (40,600 )   $ (53,863 )
Net Deferred Tax Liability — Non-Current
    720,584       663,876  
     
Total Net Deferred Income Taxes
  $ 679,984     $ 610,013  
     
     During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company reduced its deferred tax asset relating to the Medicare Part D subsidy by $30 million to reflect changes made by the fundamental health care reform legislation enacted during the quarter. In conjunction with the reduction of the deferred tax asset, the Company reduced its Medicare Part D regulatory liability by $30 million. In the Company’s Utility and Pipeline and Storage segments, the Company’s post-retirement benefit plans are funded by customers. As such, prior to the fundamental health care reform legislation enacted during this quarter, the $30 million tax benefit had been recorded as a regulatory liability in anticipation of flowing that tax benefit back to customers.
     Regulatory liabilities representing the reduction of previously recorded deferred income taxes associated with rate-regulated activities that are expected to be refundable to customers amounted to $67.1 million at March 31, 2010 and $67.0 million at September 30, 2009, respectively. Also, regulatory assets representing future amounts collectible from customers, corresponding to additional deferred income taxes not previously recorded because of prior ratemaking practices, amounted to $138.4 million at both March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009.
     The Company files federal and various state income tax returns. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is currently conducting an examination of the Company for fiscal 2009 in accordance with the Compliance Assurance Process (“CAP”). The CAP audit employs a real time review of the Company’s books and tax records by the IRS that is intended to permit issue resolution prior to the filing of the tax return. While the federal statute of limitations remains open for fiscal 2006 and later years, IRS examinations for fiscal 2008 and prior years have been completed and the Company believes such years are effectively settled.
     The Company is also subject to various routine state income tax examinations. The Company’s operating subsidiaries mainly operate in four states which have statutes of limitations that generally expire between three to four years from the date of filing of the income tax return.
     As of March 31, 2010, the Company had a federal net operating loss carryover of $20.3 million. This carryover, which is available as a result of an acquisition, expires in varying amounts between 2023 and 2029. Although this loss carryover is subject to certain annual limitations, no valuation allowance was recorded because of management’s determination that the amount will be fully utilized during the carryforward period.

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
Note 5 — Capitalization
Common Stock. During the six months ended March 31, 2010, the Company issued 1,008,085 original issue shares of common stock as a result of stock option exercises and 4,000 original issue shares for restricted stock awards (non-vested stock as defined by the current accounting literature for stock-based compensation). The Company also issued 6,489 original issue shares of common stock to the non-employee directors of the Company who receive compensation under the Company’s Retainer Policy for Non-Employee Directors, as partial consideration for the directors’ services during the six months ended March 31, 2010. Holders of stock options or restricted stock will often tender shares of common stock to the Company for payment of option exercise prices and/or applicable withholding taxes. During the six months ended March 31, 2010, 260,303 shares of common stock were tendered to the Company for such purposes. The Company considers all shares tendered as cancelled shares restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares, in accordance with New Jersey law.
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt. Current Portion of Long-Term Debt at March 31, 2010 consists of $200 million of 7.50% medium-term notes that mature in November 2010.
Note 6 — Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental Matters. The Company is subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. The Company has established procedures for the ongoing evaluation of its operations to identify potential environmental exposures and to comply with regulatory policies and procedures. It is the Company’s policy to accrue estimated environmental clean-up costs (investigation and remediation) when such amounts can reasonably be estimated and it is probable that the Company will be required to incur such costs.
     The Company has agreed with the NYDEC to remediate a former manufactured gas plant site located in New York. The Company has received approval from the NYDEC of a Remedial Design work plan for this site and has recorded an estimated minimum liability for remediation of this site of $15.0 million.
     At March 31, 2010, the Company has estimated its remaining clean-up costs related to former manufactured gas plant sites and third party waste disposal sites (including the former manufactured gas plant site discussed above) will be in the range of $17.7 million to $21.9 million. The minimum estimated liability of $17.7 million, which includes the $15.0 million discussed above, has been recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2010. The Company expects to recover its environmental clean-up costs from a combination of rate recovery and deferred insurance proceeds that are currently recorded as a regulatory liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
     The Company is currently not aware of any material additional exposure to environmental liabilities. However, changes in environmental regulations, new information or other factors could adversely impact the Company.
Other. The Company is involved in other litigation and regulatory matters arising in the normal course of business. These other matters may include, for example, negligence claims and tax, regulatory or other governmental audits, inspections, investigations and other proceedings. These matters may involve state and federal taxes, safety, compliance with regulations, rate base, cost of service and purchased gas cost issues, among other things. While these normal-course matters could have a material effect on earnings and cash flows in the quarterly and annual period in which they are resolved, they are not expected to change materially the Company’s present liquidity position, or have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company.

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
Note 7 — Business Segment Information
     The Company has four reportable segments: Utility, Pipeline and Storage, Exploration and Production and Energy Marketing. The division of the Company’s operations into the reported segments is based upon a combination of factors including differences in products and services, regulatory environment and geographic factors.
     The data presented in the tables below reflect the reported segments and reconciliations to consolidated amounts. As stated in the 2009 Form 10-K, the Company evaluates segment performance based on income before discontinued operations, extraordinary items and cumulative effects of changes in accounting (when applicable). When these items are not applicable, the Company evaluates performance based on net income. There have been no changes in the basis of segmentation nor in the basis of measuring segment profit or loss from those used in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in the amount of assets for any operating segment from the amounts disclosed in the 2009 Form 10-K.
Quarter Ended March 31, 2010 (Thousands)
                                                                 
            Pipeline   Exploration           Total           Corporate and    
            and   and   Energy   Reportable           Intersegment   Total
    Utility   Storage   Production   Marketing   Segments   All Other   Eliminations   Consolidated
 
 
                                                               
Revenue from External Customers
  $ 348,593     $ 40,971     $ 109,158     $ 158,537     $ 657,259     $ 13,903     $ 218     $ 671,380  
 
                                                               
Intersegment Revenues
  $ 6,149     $ 20,565     $     $     $ 26,714     $     $ (26,714 )   $  
 
                                                               
Segment Profit:
                                                               
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 33,273     $ 12,448     $ 27,383     $ 5,969     $ 79,073     $ 1,574     $ (219 )   $ 80,428  
Six Months Ended March 31, 2010 (Thousands)
                                                                 
            Pipeline   Exploration           Total           Corporate and    
            and   and   Energy   Reportable           Intersegment   Total
    Utility   Storage   Production   Marketing   Segments   All Other   Eliminations   Consolidated
 
 
                                                               
Revenue from External Customers
  $ 580,997     $ 75,475     $ 215,511     $ 230,273     $ 1,102,256     $ 25,707     $ 429     $ 1,128,392  
 
                                                               
Intersegment Revenues
  $ 10,662     $ 40,822     $     $     $ 51,484     $     $ (51,484 )   $  
 
                                                               
Segment Profit:
                                                               
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 56,286     $ 22,802     $ 57,163     $ 7,061     $ 143,312     $ 2,738     $ (1,123 )   $ 144,927  
Quarter Ended March 31, 2009 (Thousands)
                                                                 
            Pipeline   Exploration           Total           Corporate and    
            and   and   Energy   Reportable           Intersegment   Total
    Utility   Storage   Production   Marketing   Segments   All Other   Eliminations   Consolidated
 
 
                                                               
Revenue from External Customers
  $ 502,016     $ 39,846     $ 87,077     $ 163,545     $ 792,484     $ 11,929     $ 232     $ 804,645  
 
                                                               
Intersegment Revenues
  $ 5,846     $ 21,156     $     $     $ 27,002     $ 1,194     $ (28,196 )   $  
 
                                                               
Segment Profit:
                                                               
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 32,819     $ 15,186     $ 18,107     $ 5,579     $ 71,691     $ 1,907     $ (114 )   $ 73,484  

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Table of Contents

Item 1.   Financial Statements (Cont.)
Six Months Ended March 31, 2009 (Thousands)
                                                                 
            Pipeline   Exploration           Total           Corporate and    
            and   and   Energy   Reportable           Intersegment   Total
    Utility   Storage   Production   Marketing   Segments   All Other   Eliminations   Consolidated
 
 
                                                               
Revenue from External Customers
  $ 851,653     $ 75,113     $ 183,790     $ 278,551     $ 1,389,107     $ 22,254     $ 447     $ 1,411,808  
 
                                                               
Intersegment Revenues
  $ 10,399     $ 41,993     $     $     $ 52,392     $ 3,516     $ (55,908 )   $  
 
                                                               
Segment Profit:
                                                               
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 54,907     $ 32,362     $ (65,450 )   $ 6,178     $ 27,997     $ 1,040     $ 1,769     $ 30,806  
Note 8 — Intangible Assets
     The components of the Company’s intangible assets were as follows (in thousands):
                                 
                            At September 30,  
    At March 31, 2010     2009  
    Gross             Net     Net  
    Carrying     Accumulated     Carrying     Carrying  
    Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amount  
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization:
                               
Long-Term Transportation Contracts
  $ 4,701     $ (2,827 )   $ 1,874     $ 2,071  
Long-Term Gas Purchase Contracts
    31,864       (13,101 )     18,763       19,465  
           
 
  $ 36,565     $ (15,928 )   $ 20,637     $ 21,536  
           
 
                               
Aggregate Amortization Expense:
                               
(Thousands)
                               
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
  $ 449                          
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
  $ 497                          
Six Months Ended March 31, 2010
  $ 899                          
Six Months Ended March 31, 2009
  $ 1,051                          
     The gross carrying amount of intangible assets subject to amortization at March 31, 2010 remained unchanged from September 30, 2009. The only activity with regard to intangible assets subject to amortization was amortization expense as shown in the table above. Amortization expense for the long-term transportation contracts is estimated to be $0.2 million for the remainder of 2010 and $0.4 million annually for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Amortization expense for the long-term gas purchase contracts is estimated to be $0.7 million for the remainder of 2010 and $1.4 million annually for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

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Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
Note 9 — Retirement Plan and Other Post-Retirement Benefits
     Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (in thousands):
Three months ended March 31,
                                 
    Retirement Plan   Other Post-Retirement Benefits
    2010   2009   2010   2009
Service Cost
  $ 3,249     $ 2,728     $ 1,075     $ 950  
Interest Cost
    11,077       11,709       6,254       6,875  
Expected Return on Plan Assets
    (14,585 )     (14,489 )     (6,584 )     (7,904 )
Amortization of Prior Service Cost
    164       183       (427 )     (268 )
Amortization of Transition Amount
                135       566  
Amortization of Losses
    5,410       1,419       6,470       2,318  
Net Amortization and Deferral for Regulatory Purposes (Including
                               
Volumetric Adjustments) (1)
    3,858       7,358       3,588       8,015  
         
 
                               
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
  $ 9,173     $ 8,908     $ 10,511     $ 10,552  
         
Six months ended March 31,
                                 
    Retirement Plan   Other Post-Retirement Benefits
    2010   2009   2010   2009
Service Cost
  $ 6,498     $ 5,456     $ 2,149     $ 1,901  
Interest Cost
    22,154       23,418       12,508       13,750  
Expected Return on Plan Assets
    (29,170 )     (28,979 )     (13,167 )     (15,808 )
Amortization of Prior Service Cost
    328       366       (854 )     (537 )
Amortization of Transition Amount
                270       1,133  
Amortization of Losses
    10,820       2,838       12,941       4,635  
Net Amortization and Deferral for Regulatory Purposes (Including Volumetric Adjustments) (1)
    3,816       10,598       3,487       12,354  
         
 
                               
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
  $ 14,446     $ 13,697     $ 17,334     $ 17,428  
         
 
(1)   The Company’s policy is to record retirement plan and other post-retirement benefit costs in the Utility segment on a volumetric basis to reflect the fact that the Utility segment experiences higher throughput of natural gas in the winter months and lower throughput of natural gas in the summer months.
     Prior to the adoption of authoritative guidance related to accounting for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, the Company used June 30th as the measurement date for financial reporting purposes. In 2009, in accordance with the current authoritative guidance for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, the Company began measuring the Plan’s assets and liabilities for its pension and other post-retirement benefit plans as of September 30th, its fiscal year end. In making this change and as permitted by the current authoritative guidance, the Company recorded fifteen months of pension and post-retirement benefits expense during fiscal 2009. As allowed by the authoritative guidance, these costs were calculated using June 30, 2008 measurement date data. Three of those months pertained to the period of July 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008. The pension and other post-retirement benefit costs for that period amounted to $3.8 million and were recorded by the Company during the six months ended March 31, 2009 as a $3.4 million increase to Other Regulatory Assets in the Company’s Utility and Pipeline and Storage segments and a $0.4 million ($0.2 million after tax) adjustment to earnings reinvested in the business. In addition, for the Company’s non-qualified benefit plan, benefit costs of $1.3 million were recorded by the Company during the six months ended March 31, 2009 as a $0.4 million increase to Other Regulatory Assets in the Company’s Utility segment and a $0.9 million ($0.6 million after tax) adjustment to earnings reinvested in the business.

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Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements (Cont.)
Employer Contributions. During the six months ended March 31, 2010, the Company contributed $20.2 million to its tax-qualified, noncontributory defined-benefit retirement plan (Retirement Plan) and $16.1 million to its VEBA trusts and 401 (h) accounts for its other post-retirement benefits. In the remainder of 2010, the Company does not expect to contribute to the Retirement Plan. It is likely that the Company will have to fund larger amounts to the Retirement Plan subsequent to fiscal 2010 in order to be in compliance with the Pension Protection Act of 2006. In the remainder of 2010, the Company expects to contribute in the range of $9.0 million to $10.0 million to its VEBA trusts and 401(h) accounts.

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Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
OVERVIEW
[Please note that this overview is a high-level summary
of items that are discussed in greater detail in subsequent sections of this report.]
     The Company is a diversified energy holding company that owns a number of subsidiary operating companies, and reports financial results in four reportable business segments. For the quarter ended March 31, 2010 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Company experienced an increase in earnings of $6.9 million, primarily due to higher earnings in the Exploration and Production segment. For the six months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the six months ended March 31, 2009, the Company experienced an increase in earnings of $114.1 million. The earnings increase for the six-month period was driven largely by an impairment charge of $182.8 million ($108.2 million after tax) recorded in the Exploration and Production segment during the six months ended March 31, 2009 that did not recur during the six months ended March 31, 2010. In the Company’s Exploration and Production segment, oil and gas property acquisitions, and exploration and development costs are capitalized under the full cost method of accounting. Such costs are subject to a quarterly ceiling test prescribed by SEC Regulation S-X Rule 4-10 that determines a limit, or ceiling, on the amount of property acquisition, exploration and development costs that can be capitalized. At December 31, 2008, due to significant declines in crude oil and natural gas commodity prices, the book value of the Company’s oil and gas properties exceeded the ceiling, resulting in the impairment charge mentioned above. For further discussion of the ceiling test results at March 31, 2010 and a sensitivity analysis to changes in crude oil and natural gas commodity prices, refer to the Critical Accounting Estimates section below. For further discussion of the Company’s earnings, refer to the Results of Operations section below.
     The Company continues to focus on the development of its Marcellus Shale acreage in the Appalachian region of its Exploration and Production segment. The Marcellus Shale is a Middle Devonian-age geological shale formation that is present, nearly a mile or more below the surface, in the Appalachian region of the United States, including much of Pennsylvania and southern New York. Due to the depth at which this formation is found, drilling costs, including the drilling of horizontal wells with hydraulic fracturing, are very expensive. However, independent geological studies have indicated that this formation could yield natural gas reserves measured in the trillions of cubic feet. The Company owns approximately 738,000 net acres within the Marcellus Shale area and anticipates a significant increase in its reserve base from development in the Marcellus Shale. With this in mind, the Company has spent significant amounts in this region. For the six months ended March 31, 2010, the Company spent $152.7 million towards the development of the Marcellus Shale. This included paying $71.8 million in March 2010 for two tracts of leasehold acreage in Tioga and Potter Counties in Pennsylvania. The Company acquired these tracts, consisting of approximately 18,000 net acres, in order to expand its holdings of Marcellus Shale acreage. These tracts are geographically similar to the Company’s existing Marcellus Shale acreage in the area, and will help the Company continue its developmental drilling program.
     Coincident with the development of its Marcellus Shale acreage, the Company is building pipeline gathering and transmission facilities to connect Marcellus Shale production with existing pipelines in the region and is pursuing the development of additional pipeline and storage capacity in order to meet anticipated demand for the large amount of Marcellus Shale production expected to come on-line in the months and years to come. Two of these projects, the Tioga County Extension Project and the “Northern Access” expansion project, are considered significant for Empire and Supply Corporation. Both projects are designed to receive natural gas produced from the Marcellus Shale and transport it to Canada and the Northeast United States to meet growing demand in those areas. During the past year, Empire and Supply Corporation have experienced a decline in the volumes of natural gas received at the Canada/United States border at the Niagara River to be shipped across their systems. The historical price advantage for gas sold at the Niagara import points has declined as production in the Canadian producing regions has declined or been diverted to other demand areas, and as production from new shale plays has increased in the United States. These factors have been causing shippers to seek alternative gas supplies and consequently alternative transportation routes. Empire and Supply Corporation have seen transportation volumes decrease as a result of this situation. The Tioga County Extension Project and the “Northern Access” expansion project are designed to provide an alternative gas supply source for the customers of Empire and Supply Corporation. These projects, which are discussed more completely in the Investing Cash Flow section that follows, also will involve significant capital expenditures.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
     From a capital resources perspective, the Company has been able to meet its capital expenditure needs for all of the above projects by using cash from operations. The Company had $426.8 million in Cash and Temporary Cash Investments at March 31, 2010, as shown on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. For the remainder of 2010, the Company expects that it will be able to use cash on hand and cash from operations as its first means of financing capital expenditures, with short-term borrowings being its next source of funding. It is not expected that long-term financing will be required to meet capital expenditure needs until 2011.
     There has been much discussion in the press about the possibility of environmental risks associated with a well completion technology referred to as hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale. While New York State currently has a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing of new horizontal wells in the Marcellus Shale, in Pennsylvania, where the Company is focusing its Marcellus Shale development efforts, the state’s permitting and regulatory processes seem to strike a balance between the environmental concerns and the benefits of increased natural gas production. Hydraulic fracturing is a well stimulation technique that has been used for many years, and in the Company’s experience, one that the Company believes has little impact to the environment. Nonetheless, the potential for increased regulation of hydraulic fracturing could impact future costs of drilling in the Marcellus Shale. There is also the risk that drilling could be prohibited on certain acreage that is prospective for the Marcellus Shale. Please refer to the Risk Factors section of the Form 10-K for the Year Ended September 30, 2009 as well as updates to that section in both the Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2009 and this Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 for further discussion.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
     For a complete discussion of critical accounting estimates, refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates” in Item 7 of the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K and Item 2 of the Company’s December 31, 2009 Form 10-Q. There have been no material changes to those disclosures other than as set forth below. The information presented below is an update of, and should be read in conjunction with, the critical accounting estimates in those documents.
Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Costs. The Company, in its Exploration and Production segment, follows the full cost method of accounting for determining the book value of its oil and natural gas properties. In accordance with this methodology, the Company is required to perform a quarterly ceiling test. Under the ceiling test, the present value of future revenues from the Company’s oil and gas reserves based on current market prices (the “ceiling”) is compared with the book value of the Company’s oil and gas properties at the balance sheet date. If the book value of the oil and gas properties in any country exceeds the ceiling, a non-cash impairment charge must be recorded to reduce the book value of the oil and gas properties to the calculated ceiling. At March 31, 2010, the ceiling exceeded the book value of the oil and gas properties by approximately $290 million. The quoted Cushing, Oklahoma spot price for West Texas Intermediate oil at March 31, 2010 was $83.45 per Bbl. The quoted Henry Hub spot price for natural gas at March 31, 2010 was $3.79 per MMBtu. (Note — Because actual pricing of the Company’s various producing properties varies depending on their location, the actual various prices received for such production is utilized to calculate the ceiling, rather than the Cushing oil and Henry Hub natural gas prices, which are only indicative of current prices.) If natural gas prices used in the ceiling test calculation at March 31, 2010 had been $1 per MMBtu lower, the ceiling would have exceeded the book value of the Company’s oil and gas properties by approximately $222 million. If crude oil prices used in the ceiling test calculation at March 31, 2010 had been $5 per Bbl lower, the ceiling would have exceeded the book value of the Company’s oil and gas properties by approximately $240 million. If both natural gas and crude oil prices used in the ceiling test calculation at March 31, 2010 were lower by $1 per MMBtu and $5 per Bbl, respectively, the ceiling would have exceeded the book value of the Company’s oil and gas properties by approximately $172 million. These calculated amounts are based solely on price changes and do not take into account any other changes to the ceiling test calculation. For a more complete discussion of the full cost method of accounting, refer to “Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Costs” under “Critical Accounting Estimates” in Item 7 of the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Earnings
     The Company’s earnings were $80.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 compared to earnings of $73.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The increase in earnings of $6.9 million is primarily the result of higher earnings in the Exploration and Production segment. The Utility and Energy Marketing segments also contributed to the increase in earnings. Lower earnings in the Pipeline and Storage segment and the All Other category and a loss in the Corporate category slightly offset these increases.
     The Company’s earnings were $144.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 compared to earnings of $30.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. The increase in earnings of $114.1 million is primarily the result of higher earnings in the Exploration and Production segment. The Utility and Energy Marketing segments, as well as the All Other category, also contributed to the increase in earnings. Lower earnings in the Pipeline and Storage segment and a loss in the Corporate category slightly offset these increases. The Company’s earnings for the six months ended March 31, 2009 includes a non-cash $182.8 million impairment charge ($108.2 million after tax) recorded during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 for the Exploration and Production segment’s oil and gas producing properties.
     Additional discussion of earnings in each of the business segments can be found in the business segment information that follows. Note that all amounts used in the earnings discussions are after-tax amounts, unless otherwise noted.
Earnings (Loss) by Segment
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
                    Increase                     Increase  
(Thousands)   2010     2009     (Decrease)     2010     2009     (Decrease)  
Utility
  $ 33,273     $ 32,819     $ 454     $ 56,286     $ 54,907     $ 1,379  
Pipeline and Storage
    12,448       15,186       (2,738 )     22,802       32,362       (9,560 )
Exploration and Production
    27,383       18,107       9,276       57,163       (65,450 )     122,613  
Energy Marketing
    5,969       5,579       390       7,061       6,178       883  
 
                                   
Total Reportable Segments
    79,073       71,691       7,382       143,312       27,997       115,315  
All Other
    1,574       1,907       (333 )     2,738       1,040       1,698  
Corporate
    (219 )     (114 )     (105 )     (1,123 )     1,769       (2,892 )
 
                                   
Total Consolidated
  $ 80,428     $ 73,484     $ 6,944     $ 144,927     $ 30,806     $ 114,121  
 
                                   
Utility
Utility Operating Revenues
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
                    Increase                     Increase  
(Thousands)   2010     2009     (Decrease)     2010     2009     (Decrease)  
Retail Sales Revenues:
                                               
Residential
  $ 256,447     $ 394,006     $ (137,559 )   $ 433,043     $ 666,424     $ (233,381 )
Commercial
    38,311       65,237       (26,926 )     62,717       106,571       (43,854 )
Industrial
    2,594       3,920       (1,326 )     3,883       6,026       (2,143 )
 
                                   
 
    297,352       463,163       (165,811 )     499,643       779,021       (279,378 )
 
                                   
Transportation
    40,509       40,929       (420 )     71,203       72,939       (1,736 )
Off-System Sales
    13,314       8       13,306       15,005       3,740       11,265  
Other
    3,567       3,762       (195 )     5,808       6,352       (544 )
 
                                   
 
  $ 354,742     $ 507,862     $ (153,120 )   $ 591,659     $ 862,052     $ (270,393 )
 
                                   

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Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
Utility Throughput
                                                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    March 31,   March 31,
                    Increase                   Increase
(MMcf)   2010   2009   (Decrease)   2010   2009   (Decrease)
Retail Sales:
                                               
Residential
    26,413       28,366       (1,953 )     43,237       46,533       (3,296 )
Commercial
    4,256       4,852       (596 )     6,746       7,762       (1,016 )
Industrial
    288       302       (14 )     446       445       1  
 
                                               
 
    30,957       33,520       (2,563 )     50,429       54,740       (4,311 )
 
                                               
Transportation
    24,366       24,256       110       41,427       41,729       (302 )
Off-System Sales
    2,554       1       2,553       2,910       513       2,397  
 
                                               
 
    57,877       57,777       100       94,766       96,982       (2,216 )
 
                                               
Degree Days
                                         
                            Percent
Three Months Ended                           Colder (Warmer) Than
March 31   Normal   2010   2009   Normal   Prior Year
Buffalo
    3,327       3,241       3,391       (2.6 )     (4.4 )
Erie
    3,142       3,163       3,176       0.7       (0.4 )
Six Months Ended
March 31
                                       
Buffalo
    5,587       5,487       5,704       (1.8 )     (3.8 )
Erie
    5,223       5,211       5,243       (0.2 )     (0.6 )
2010 Compared with 2009
     Operating revenues for the Utility segment decreased $153.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 as compared with the quarter ended March 31, 2009. This decrease largely resulted from a $165.8 million decrease in retail gas sales revenues partially offset by a $13.3 million increase in off-system sales revenues. The decrease in retail gas sales revenues of $165.8 million was largely a function of the recovery of lower gas costs (subject to certain timing variations, gas costs are recovered dollar for dollar in revenues) and warmer weather. The recovery of lower gas costs resulted from a much lower cost of purchased gas. The Utility segment’s average cost of purchased gas, including the cost of transportation and storage, was $7.61 per Mcf for the three months ended March 31, 2010, a decrease of 14.0% from the average cost of $8.85 per Mcf for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
     The increase in off-system sales revenues of $13.3 was largely due to the Utility segment not engaging in off-system sales from November 2008 through October 2009. This was due to Order No. 717 (“Final Rule”), which was issued by the FERC on October 16, 2008. The Final Rule seemingly held that a local distribution company making off-system sales on unaffiliated pipelines would be engaging in “marketing” that would require compliance with the FERC’s standards of conduct. Accordingly, pending clarification of this issue from the FERC, as of November 1, 2008, Distribution Corporation ceased off-system sales activities. On October 15, 2009, the FERC released Order No. 717-A, which clarified that a local distribution company making off-system sales of gas that has been transported on non-affiliated pipelines is not subject to the FERC standards of conduct. In light of and in reliance on this clarification, Distribution Corporation determined that it may resume engaging in off-system sales on non-affiliated pipelines. Such off-system sales resumed in November 2009. Due to profit sharing with retail customers, the margins resulting from off-system sales are minimal and there was not a material impact to margins.
     Operating revenues for the Utility segment decreased $270.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 as compared with the six months ended March 31, 2009. This decrease largely resulted from a $279.4 million decrease in retail gas sales revenues and a $1.7 million decrease in transportation revenues, partially offset by a $11.3 million increase in off-system sales revenues. The decrease in retail gas sales revenues of $279.4 million was largely a function of the recovery of lower gas costs (subject to certain timing variations, gas costs are recovered dollar for dollar in revenues) and warmer weather. The recovery of lower

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Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
gas costs resulted from a much lower cost of purchased gas. The Utility segment’s average cost of purchased gas, including the cost of transportation and storage, was $7.36 per Mcf for the six months ended March 31, 2010, a decrease of 20.5% from the average cost of $9.26 per Mcf for the six months ended March 31, 2009.
     The increase in off-system sales revenues of $11.3 million was attributable to the reasons discussed above. Due to profit sharing with retail customers, the margins resulting from off-system sales are minimal and there was not a material impact to margins. The decrease in transportation revenues of $1.7 million was primarily due to a 0.3 Bcf decrease in transportation throughput, largely the result of warmer weather.
     The Utility segment’s earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 were $33.3 million, an increase of $0.5 million when compared with earnings of $32.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
     In the New York jurisdiction, earnings decreased $1.0 million. The positive earnings impact associated with lower operating expenses of $0.5 million (primarily a decrease in bad debt expense due to lower gas costs), and lower income tax expense of $0.1 million (due to a lower effective tax rate) were more than offset by routine regulatory adjustments of $0.4 million, and an increase in interest expense ($0.6 million). The increase in interest expense was primarily due to a new debt issuance in April 2009. The April 2009 debt was issued at a significantly higher interest rate than the debt that had matured in March 2009.
     In the Pennsylvania jurisdiction, earnings increased $1.5 million. The positive earnings impact associated with lower operating costs of $1.6 million (primarily a decrease in bad debt expense due to lower gas costs), lower income tax expense of $2.0 million (due to a lower effective tax rate) and the positive earnings impact of colder weather ($0.3 million) were the main factors in the earnings increase. These factors were largely offset by lower usage per account ($1.2 million) and higher interest expense ($0.9 million). The phrase “usage per account” refers to the average gas consumption per customer account after factoring out any impact that weather may have had on consumption. The increase in interest expense was partially due to the Company’s April 2009 debt issuance that was issued at a significantly higher interest rate than the debt that had matured in March 2009. In addition, accrued interest on deferred gas costs increased as a result of an over-recovery of gas costs during fiscal 2009 (due to a decline in gas prices during fiscal 2009).
     The impact of weather variations on earnings in the New York jurisdiction is mitigated by that jurisdiction’s weather normalization clause (WNC). The WNC in New York, which covers the eight-month period from October through May, has had a stabilizing effect on earnings for the New York rate jurisdiction. The WNC did not have a significant earnings impact during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 or the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
     The Utility segment’s earnings for the six months ended March 31, 2010 were $56.3 million, an increase of $1.4 million when compared with earnings of $54.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009.
     In the New York jurisdiction, earnings decreased $0.5 million. The positive earnings impact associated with lower operating expenses of $1.2 million (primarily a decrease in bad debt expense due to lower gas costs) and lower income tax expense of $0.2 million (due to a lower effective tax rate) were more than offset by an increase in interest expense ($1.4 million). The increase in interest expense was primarily due to the Company’s April 2009 debt issuance, as discussed above.
     In the Pennsylvania jurisdiction, earnings increased $1.9 million. The positive earnings impact associated with lower operating costs of $3.0 million (primarily a decrease in bad debt expense due to lower gas costs) and lower income tax expense of $3.3 million (due to a lower effective tax rate) were the main factors in the earnings increase. These factors were partially offset by lower usage per account ($2.2 million), and higher interest expense. The increase in interest expense was partially due to the Company’s April 2009 debt issuance, as discussed above. In addition, accrued interest on deferred gas costs increased as a result of an over recovery of gas costs during fiscal 2009 (due to a decline in gas prices during fiscal 2009).
     The WNC did not have a significant earnings impact during the six months ended March 31, 2010 or the six months ended March 31, 2009.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
Pipeline and Storage
Pipeline and Storage Operating Revenues
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
                    Increase                     Increase  
(Thousands)   2010     2009     (Decrease)     2010     2009     (Decrease)  
Firm Transportation
  $ 38,294     $ 39,932     $ (1,638 )   $ 74,722     $ 73,038     $ 1,684  
Interruptible Transportation
    535       1,123       (588 )     840       2,227       (1,387 )
 
                                   
 
    38,829       41,055       (2,226 )     75,562       75,265       297  
 
                                   
Firm Storage Service
    16,763       16,767       (4 )     33,386       33,452       (66 )
Interruptible Storage Service
    2       7       (5 )     59       14       45  
Other
    5,942       3,173       2,769       7,290       8,375       (1,085 )
 
                                   
 
  $ 61,536     $ 61,002     $ 534     $ 116,297     $ 117,106     $ (809 )
 
                                   
Pipeline and Storage Throughput
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
                    Increase        
(MMcf)   2010     2009     (Decrease)     2010     2009     Decrease  
Firm Transportation
    112,146       133,472       (21,326 )     192,785       235,725       (42,940 )
Interruptible Transportation
    1,804       1,256       548       2,559       2,875       (316 )
 
                                   
 
    113,950       134,728       (20,778 )     195,344       238,600       (43,256 )
 
                                   
2010 Compared with 2009
     Operating revenues for the Pipeline and Storage segment increased $0.5 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2010 as compared with the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The increase was primarily due to an increase in efficiency gas revenues ($3.1 million) reported as part of other revenues in the table above. This increase was primarily due to higher gas prices and higher efficiency gas volumes during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 as compared with the quarter ended March 31, 2009. It also reflects the non-recurrence of an inventory write down of the value of the retained efficiency gas during the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Under Supply Corporation’s tariff with shippers, Supply Corporation is allowed to retain a set percentage of shipper-supplied gas to cover compressor fuel costs and for other operational purposes. To the extent that Supply Corporation does not need all of the gas to cover such operational needs, it is allowed to keep the excess gas as inventory. That inventory is later sold to buyers on the open market. The excess gas that is retained as inventory, as well as any gains resulting from the sale of such inventory, represent efficiency gas revenue to Supply Corporation. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in transportation revenues of $2.2 million due to a reduction in the level of short-term contracts entered into by shippers quarter over quarter as such shippers utilized lower priced routes, and a decrease in the gathering rate under Supply Corporation’s tariff.
     Operating revenues for the Pipeline and Storage segment for the six months ended March 31, 2010 decreased $0.8 million as compared with the six months ended March 31, 2009. The decrease was partially due to a decrease in interruptible transportation revenues of $1.4 million largely due to a decrease in the gathering rate under Supply Corporation’s tariff. Also contributing to the decrease was a decrease in efficiency gas revenues of $0.4 million due to lower gas prices and a lower gain, period over period, on the sale of retained efficiency gas volumes held in inventory (partially offset by the non-recurrence of an efficiency gas inventory write down during the six months ended March 31, 2009). Partially offsetting the decreases was an increase in firm transportation revenues of $1.7 million. This increase was primarily the result of higher revenues from the Empire Connector, which was placed in service in December 2008.
     Transportation volume for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 decreased by 20.8 Bcf from the prior year’s quarter. For the six months ended March 31, 2010, transportation volumes decreased by 43.3 Bcf from the prior year’s six-month period. These decreases were largely due to shippers seeking alternative lower priced gas supply (and in some cases, not renewing short-term transportation contracts) combined with warmer weather and lower industrial demand. The reason shippers are seeking lower priced gas supply is

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
primarily because of the relatively higher price of Canadian natural gas supplies available at the United States/Canadian border at the Niagara River near Buffalo, New York compared to the lower pricing for domestic supplies. Empire’s proposed Tioga County Extension Project and Supply Corporation’s “Northern Access” expansion project, both of which are discussed in the Investing Cash Flow section that follows, are designed to utilize that available pipeline capacity by receiving natural gas produced from the Marcellus Shale and transporting it to Canada and the Northeast United States where demand has been growing. Much of the impact of lower volumes is offset by the straight fixed-variable rate design utilized by Supply Corporation and Empire. However, this rate design does not protect Supply Corporation or Empire when shippers do not renew their existing contracts.
     The Pipeline and Storage segment’s earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 were $12.4 million, a decrease of $2.8 million when compared with earnings of $15.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The earnings decrease was primarily due to lower transportation revenues of $1.4 million, as discussed above. Higher interest expense ($1.3 million), higher property taxes ($0.5 million), higher operating expenses ($1.6 million) and lower interest income ($0.2 million) also contributed to the decrease in earnings. The increase in interest expense can be attributed to higher debt balances and a higher average interest rate on borrowings. The increase in the average interest rate stems from the Company’s April 2009 debt issuance. The increase in property taxes is primarily a result of additional property taxes and higher payments in lieu of taxes associated with the Empire Connector. The increase in operating expenses can primarily be attributed to higher pension expense, higher personnel costs and an increase in the reserve for preliminary project costs associated with Empire’s Tioga County Extension project and Supply Corporation’s West-to-East Overbeck to Leidy project. The decline in interest income is a result of lower cash balances and lower interest rates. The earnings decreases were partially offset by the earnings impact associated with higher efficiency gas revenue of $2.0 million, as discussed above, and lower depreciation expense ($0.6 million) due to an out-of-period adjustment during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 to correct accumulated depreciation that did not recur.
     The Pipeline and Storage segment’s earnings for the six months ended March 31, 2010 were $22.8 million, a decrease of $9.6 million when compared with earnings of $32.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. The decrease in earnings is primarily due to a decrease in the allowance for funds used during construction ($2.8 million), higher operating costs ($2.2 million), higher property taxes ($1.0 million), higher interest expense ($3.2 million) and lower interest income ($0.2 million). The decrease in allowance for funds used during construction (equity component) is a result of the construction of the Empire Connector, which was completed and placed in service on December 10, 2008. The increase in operating expenses can primarily be attributed to higher pension expense and an increase in the reserve for preliminary project costs associated with Empire’s Tioga County Extension project. The increase in property taxes is primarily a result of additional property taxes and higher payments in lieu of taxes associated with the Empire Connector. The increase in interest expense can be attributed to higher debt balances and a higher average interest rate on borrowings combined with a decrease in the allowance for borrowed funds used during construction resulting from the completion of the Empire Connector. The increase in the average interest rate stems from the Company’s April 2009 debt issuance. The decline in interest income is a result of lower cash balances and lower interest rates.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
Exploration and Production
Exploration and Production Operating Revenues
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
                    Increase                     Increase  
(Thousands)   2010     2009     (Decrease)     2010     2009     (Decrease)  
Gas (after Hedging)
  $ 46,512     $ 38,802     $ 7,710     $ 87,380     $ 79,895     $ 7,485  
Oil (after Hedging)
    60,215       46,579       13,636       122,910       99,650       23,260  
Gas Processing Plant
    7,663       6,077       1,586       14,871       13,405       1,466  
Other
    116       29       87       162       446       (284 )
Intrasegment Elimination (1)
    (5,348 )     (4,410 )     (938 )     (9,812 )     (9,606 )     (206 )
 
                                   
 
  $ 109,158     $ 87,077     $ 22,081     $ 215,511     $ 183,790     $ 31,721  
 
                                   
 
(1)   Represents the elimination of certain West Coast gas production revenue included in “Gas (after Hedging)” in the table above that was sold to the gas processing plant shown in the table above. An elimination for the same dollar amount was made to reduce the gas processing plant’s Purchased Gas expense.
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
                    Increase                     Increase  
Production Volumes   2010     2009     (Decrease)     2010     2009     (Decrease)  
Gas Production (MMcf)
                                               
Gulf Coast
    2,643       2,065       578       5,333       3,811       1,522  
West Coast
    930       1,027       (97 )     1,926       2,049       (123 )
Appalachia
    3,542       2,059       1,483       6,344       3,910       2,434  
 
                                   
Total Production
    7,115       5,151       1,964       13,603       9,770       3,833  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Oil Production (Mbbl)
                                               
Gulf Coast
    109       166       (57 )     255       294       (39 )
West Coast
    661       648       13       1,345       1,330       15  
Appalachia
    9       12       (3 )     20       27       (7 )
 
                                   
Total Production
    779       826       (47 )     1,620       1,651       (31 )
 
                                   
Average Prices
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
                    Increase                     Increase  
    2010     2009     (Decrease)     2010     2009     (Decrease)  
Average Gas Price/Mcf
                                               
Gulf Coast
  $ 6.02     $ 4.61     $ 1.41     $ 5.42     $ 5.72     $ (0.30 )
West Coast
  $ 5.79     $ 4.22     $ 1.57     $ 5.19     $ 4.62     $ 0.57  
Appalachia
  $ 5.97     $ 5.87     $ 0.10     $ 5.57     $ 7.13     $ (1.56 )
Weighted Average
  $ 5.96     $ 5.03     $ 0.93     $ 5.46     $ 6.05     $ (0.59 )
Weighted Average After Hedging
  $ 6.54     $ 7.53     $ (0.99 )   $ 6.42     $ 8.18     $ (1.76 )
Average Oil Price/bbl
                                               
Gulf Coast
  $ 89.22     $ 40.43     $ 48.79     $ 79.81     $ 47.26     $ 32.55  
West Coast
  $ 73.16     $ 36.60     $ 36.56     $ 71.72     $ 42.45     $ 29.27  
Appalachia
  $ 73.80     $ 43.55     $ 30.25     $ 79.67     $ 58.10     $ 21.57  
Weighted Average
  $ 75.41     $ 37.47     $ 37.94     $ 73.09     $ 43.56     $ 29.53  
Weighted Average After Hedging
  $ 77.29     $ 56.39     $ 20.90     $ 75.86     $ 60.36     $ 15.50  

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
2010 Compared with 2009
     Operating revenues for the Exploration and Production segment increased $22.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 as compared with the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Oil production revenue after hedging increased $13.6 million. An increase in the weighted average price of oil after hedging ($20.90 per Bbl) was the primary cause, as oil production levels were slightly lower quarter over quarter. Gas production revenue after hedging increased $7.7 million. Increases in Gulf Coast and Appalachian natural gas production were partially offset by a $0.99 per Mcf decrease in the weighted average price of gas after hedging. Appalachian production accounted for 76% of the overall increase in natural gas production, primarily due to higher production from Marcellus wells.
     Operating revenues for the Exploration and Production segment increased $31.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 as compared with the six months ended March 31, 2009. Oil production revenue after hedging increased $23.3 million. An increase in the weighted average price of oil after hedging ($15.50 per Bbl) was the primary cause, as oil production levels were slightly lower period over period. Gas production revenue after hedging increased $7.5 million. Increases in Gulf Coast and Appalachian production were partially offset by a $1.76 per Mcf decrease in the weighted average price of gas after hedging. The increase in Gulf Coast production resulted from a new discovery that came on-line late in the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The increase in Appalachian production is mainly due to Marcellus production that came on-line during the six months ended March 31, 2010.
     The Exploration and Production segment’s earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 were $27.4 million, an increase of $9.3 million when compared with earnings of $18.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Higher crude oil prices and higher natural gas production increased earnings by $10.6 million and $9.6 million, respectively. In addition, lower general and administrative and other operating expenses ($0.8 million) and lower interest expense ($0.6 million) also contributed to an increase in earnings. The decrease in general and administrative and other operating expenses is primarily attributable to the non-recurrence of certain plugging and abandonment expenses that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The decrease in interest expense is primarily due to a lower average amount of debt outstanding. These earnings increases were partially offset by lower natural gas prices after hedging and lower crude oil production, which decreased earnings by $4.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively. In addition, earnings were further reduced by higher depletion expense ($3.5 million), higher lease operating expenses ($2.2 million), and lower interest income ($0.2 million). The increase in depletion expense was primarily due to an increase in production and depletable base (largely due to increased capital spending in the Appalachian region). The increase in lease operating expenses was largely due to higher steaming costs in California, additional production properties related to the acquisition of Ivanhoe Energy’s United States oil and gas properties in July 2009, and an increase in costs associated with a higher number of production properties in Appalachia. The decrease in interest income is primarily due to lower temporary cash investment balances and lower interest rates.
     The Exploration and Production segment’s earnings for the six months ended March 31, 2010 were $57.2 million, compared with a loss of $65.5 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009, an increase of $122.7 million. The increase in earnings is primarily the result of the non-recurrence of an impairment charge of $108.2 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2008, as discussed above. Higher crude oil prices and higher natural gas production increased earnings by $16.3 million and $20.4 million, respectively. In addition, lower interest expense ($1.2 million) also contributed to an increase in earnings. The decrease in interest expense is primarily due to a lower average amount of debt outstanding. These earnings increases were partially offset by lower natural gas prices and lower crude oil production, which decreased earnings by $15.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively. In addition, earnings were further reduced by higher depletion expense ($4.0 million), higher lease operating expenses ($1.6 million), and lower interest income ($1.0 million). The increase in depletion expense is primarily due to an increase in production and depletable base (largely due to increased capital spending in the Appalachian region). The increase in lease operating expenses is largely due to higher steaming costs in California, additional production properties related to the acquisition of Ivanhoe Energy’s United States oil and gas properties in July 2009, and an increase in costs associated with a higher number of production properties in Appalachia. The decrease in interest income is primarily due to lower temporary cash investment balances and lower interest rates.

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Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
Energy Marketing
Energy Marketing Operating Revenues
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
                    Increase                     Increase  
(Thousands)   2010     2009     (Decrease)     2010     2009     (Decrease)  
Natural Gas (after Hedging)
  $ 158,459     $ 163,478     $ (5,019 )   $ 230,172     $ 278,460     $ (48,288 )
Other
    78       67       11       101       91       10  
 
                                   
 
  $ 158,537     $ 163,545     $ (5,008 )   $ 230,273     $ 278,551     $ (48,278 )
 
                                   
Energy Marketing Volume
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2010     2009     Increase     2010     2009     Increase  
Natural Gas — (MMcf)
    23,996       22,689       1,307       38,097       35,825       2,272  
2010 Compared with 2009
     Operating revenues for the Energy Marketing segment decreased $5.0 million and $48.3 million for the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2010, as compared with the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2009. The decrease for both the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2010 primarily reflects a decline in gas sales revenue due to a lower average price of natural gas that was recovered through revenues, somewhat offset by an increase in volume sold. The increase in volume is largely attributable to sales transactions undertaken at the Niagara pipeline delivery point to offset certain basis risks that the Energy Marketing segment was exposed to under certain fixed basis commodity purchase contracts for Appalachian production. These offsetting transactions had the effect of increasing revenue and volume sold with minimal impact to earnings.
     The Energy Marketing segment’s earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 were $6.0 million, an increase of $0.4 million when compared with earnings of $5.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The Energy Marketing segment’s earnings for the six months ended March 31, 2010 were $7.1 million, an increase of $0.9 million when compared with earnings of $6.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. These increases were partially attributable to higher margin of $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the quarter and six-month periods, respectively. The increase in margin was primarily driven by the marketing flexibility that the Energy Marketing segment derives from its contracts for storage capacity. Lower operating expenses of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the quarter and six-month periods, respectively, also contributed to the increase in earnings. The decrease in operating expenses for the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2010 was primarily due to lower bad debt expense.
Corporate and All Other
2010 Compared with 2009
     Corporate and All Other recorded earnings of $1.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, a decrease of $0.4 million when compared with earnings of $1.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The decrease in earnings was due to higher interest expense of $2.4 million (primarily the result of higher borrowings at a higher interest rate due to the $250 million of 8.75% notes that were issued in April 2009) and higher income tax expense of $1.3 million (due to a higher effective tax rate). The decreases were partially offset by higher interest income of $2.2 million and higher margins of $1.1 million. The increase in interest income was attributable to higher intercompany interest collected from the Company’s other operating segments that have utilized a portion of the aforementioned April 2009 debt issuance. The increase in margins was mostly attributable to higher margins from log and lumber sales (mainly due to lower prices for purchased logs and stumpage) and higher margins in the landfill gas operations.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
     For the six months ended March 31, 2010, Corporate and All Other had earnings of $1.6 million, a decrease of $1.2 million when compared with earnings of $2.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. The decrease in earnings was due to higher interest expense of $3.8 million (primarily the result of higher borrowings at a higher interest rate due to the $250 million of 8.75% notes that were issued in April 2009) and higher income tax expense of $2.5 million (due to a higher effective tax rate). In addition, the non-recurrence of a gain resulting from a death benefit on corporate-owned life insurance policies held by the Company ($2.3 million) that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 further reduced earnings. The decreases were partially offset by higher interest income of $3.2 million and higher margins of $2.9 million. The increase in interest income was attributable to higher intercompany interest collected from the Company’s other operating segments that have utilized a portion of the aforementioned April 2009 debt issuance. The increase in margins was attributable to higher margins from log and lumber sales (mainly due to lower prices for purchased logs and stumpage) and higher margins in the landfill gas operations. In addition, during the quarter ended December 31, 2008, ESNE, an unconsolidated subsidiary of Horizon Power, recorded an impairment charge of $3.6 million which did not recur. Horizon Power’s 50% share of the impairment was $1.8 million ($1.1 million on an after tax basis).
Interest Income
     Interest income was $0.7 million lower in the quarter ended March 31, 2010 as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2009. For the six months ended March 31, 2009, interest income decreased $1.4 million as compared with the six months ended March 31, 2009. The impact of lower interest rates on cash investment balances more than offset the impact of higher cash investment balances.
Other Income
     Other income increased $0.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 as compared with the quarter ended March 31, 2009. This increase is mainly attributable to larger quarter over quarter increases in the cash surrender value of life insurance policies. For the six months ended March 31, 2010, other income decreased $4.2 million as compared with the six months ended March 31, 2009. This decrease is attributable to a $2.8 million decrease in the allowance for funds used during construction in the Pipeline and Storage segment mainly associated with the Empire Connector project. In addition, a death benefit gain on corporate-owned life insurance policies of $2.3 million recognized during the first quarter of 2009 did not recur in 2010. These were partially offset by larger period over period increases in the cash surrender value of life insurance policies.
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt
     Interest on long-term debt increased $4.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 as compared with the quarter ended March 31, 2009. For the six months ended March 31, 2010, interest on long-term debt increased $8.5 million as compared with the six months ended March 31, 2009. This increase is primarily the result of a higher average amount of long-term debt outstanding combined with higher average interest rates. In April 2009, the Company issued $250 million of 8.75% senior, unsecured notes due in May 2019. This increase was partially offset by the repayment of $100 million of 6% medium term notes that matured in March 2009.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
     The Company’s primary source of cash during the six-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009 consisted of cash provided by operating activities. This source of cash was supplemented by issues of new shares of common stock as a result of stock option exercises. During the six months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, the common stock used to fulfill the requirements of the Company’s 401(k) plans and Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan was obtained via open market purchases.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
Operating Cash Flow
     Internally generated cash from operating activities consists of net income available for common stock, adjusted for non-cash expenses, non-cash income and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Non-cash items include depreciation, depletion and amortization, impairment of oil and gas producing properties, impairment of investment in partnerships, deferred income taxes, and income or loss from unconsolidated subsidiaries net of cash distributions.
     Cash provided by operating activities in the Utility and Pipeline and Storage segments may vary substantially from period to period because of the impact of rate cases. In the Utility segment, supplier refunds, over- or under-recovered purchased gas costs and weather may also significantly impact cash flow. The impact of weather on cash flow is tempered in the Utility segment’s New York rate jurisdiction by its WNC and in the Pipeline and Storage segment by the straight fixed-variable rate design used by Supply Corporation and Empire.
     Because of the seasonal nature of the heating business in the Utility and Energy Marketing segments, revenues in these segments are relatively high during the heating season, primarily the first and second quarters of the fiscal year, and receivable balances historically increase during these periods from the receivable balances at September 30.
     The storage gas inventory normally declines during the first and second quarters of the fiscal year and is replenished during the third and fourth quarters. For storage gas inventory accounted for under the LIFO method, the current cost of replacing gas withdrawn from storage is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income and a reserve for gas replacement is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Other Accruals and Current Liabilities.” Such reserve is reduced as the inventory is replenished.
     Cash provided by operating activities in the Exploration and Production segment may vary from period to period as a result of changes in the commodity prices of natural gas and crude oil. The Company uses various derivative financial instruments, including price swap agreements and futures contracts in an attempt to manage this energy commodity price risk.
     Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $279.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010, a decrease of $58.8 million compared with $338.1 million provided by operating activities for the six months ended March 31, 2009. The decrease is primarily due to the timing of gas cost recovery in the Utility segment. As gas prices decreased significantly during 2009, the Company’s Utility segment experienced an over-recovery of gas costs that was reflected in Amounts Payable to Customers on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Since September 30, 2009, the Company has been refunding that over-recovery to its customers. From a consolidated perspective, higher interest payments on long-term debt also contributed to the decrease in cash provided by operating activities.
Investing Cash Flow
Expenditures for Long-Lived Assets
     The Company’s expenditures for long-lived assets totaled $236.1 million during the six months ended March 31, 2010 and $173.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. The table below presents these expenditures:
Total Expenditures for Long-Lived Assets
                         
Six Months Ended March 31,                   Increase
(Millions)   2010   2009   (Decrease)
Utility
  $ 25.5     $ 25.8     $ (0.3 )
Pipeline and Storage
    15.5       30.2 (3) (4)     (14.7 )
Exploration and Production
    191.0 (1) (2)     117.2 (5)     73.8  
All Other
    4.1 (2)     0.1       4.0  
Eliminations
          (0.3 ) (6)     0.3  
                   
 
  $ 236.1     $ 173.0     $ 63.1  
                   

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
 
(1)   Amount includes $15.3 million of accrued capital expenditures at March 31, 2010, the majority of which was in the Appalachian region. This amount has been excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at March 31, 2010 since it represents a non-cash investing activity at that date.
 
(2)   Capital expenditures for the Exploration and Production segment for the six months ended March 31, 2010 exclude $9.1 million of capital expenditures, the majority of which was in the Appalachian region. Capital expenditures for All Other for the six months ended March 31, 2010 exclude $0.7 million of capital expenditures related to the construction of the Midstream Covington Gathering System. Both of these amounts were accrued at September 30, 2009 and paid during the six months ended March 31, 2010. These amounts were excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at September 30, 2009 since they represented non-cash investing activities at that date. These amounts have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at March 31, 2010.
 
(3)   Amount for the six months ended March 31, 2009 includes $0.9 million of accrued capital expenditures related to the Empire Connector project. This amount has been excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at March 31, 2009, since it represents a non-cash investing activity at that date.
 
(4)   Amount for the six months ended March 31, 2009 excludes $16.8 million of accrued capital expenditures related to the Empire Connector project accrued at September 30, 2008 and paid during the six months ended March 31, 2009. This amount was excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at September 30, 2008, since it represented a non-cash investing activity at that date. The amount has been included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at March 31, 2009.
 
(5)   Amount for the six months ended March 31, 2009 includes $7.7 million of accrued capital expenditures, the majority of which was in the Appalachian region. This amount has been excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at March 31, 2009, since it represents a non-cash investing activity at that date.
 
(6)   Represents $0.3 million of capital expenditures in the Pipeline and Storage segment for the purchase of pipeline facilities from the Appalachian region of the Exploration and Production segment during the quarter ended December 31, 2008.
Utility
     The majority of the Utility capital expenditures for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009 were made for replacement of mains and main extensions, as well as for the replacement of service lines.
Pipeline and Storage
     The majority of the Pipeline and Storage capital expenditures for the six months ended March 31, 2010 were related to additions, improvements, and replacements to this segment’s transmission and gas storage systems. The Pipeline and Storage capital expenditure amounts for the six months ended March 31, 2010, also include $2.5 million spent on the Lamont Project, discussed below. The majority of the Pipeline and Storage capital expenditures for the six months ended March 31, 2009 were related to the Empire Connector project, which was placed into service on December 10, 2008, as well as additions, improvements, and replacements to this segment’s transmission and gas storage systems.
     In light of the growing demand for pipeline capacity to move natural gas from new wells being drilled in Appalachia — specifically in the Marcellus Shale producing area — Supply Corporation and Empire are actively pursuing several expansion projects. Supply Corporation is moving forward with two strategic compressor horsepower expansions, both supported by signed precedent agreements with Appalachian producers, designed to move anticipated Marcellus production gas to markets beyond Supply Corporation’s pipeline system.
     The first strategic horsepower expansion project involves new compression along Supply Corporation’s Line N, increasing that line’s capacity into Texas Eastern’s Holbrook Station in southwestern Pennsylvania (“Line N Expansion Project”). This project is designed and contracted for 150,000 Dth/day of firm transportation, and will allow anticipated Marcellus production located in the vicinity of Line N to flow south and access markets off Texas Eastern’s system, with a projected in-service date of November 2011. On October 20, 2009, the FERC granted Supply Corporation’s request for a pre-filing environmental review of the Line N Expansion Project, and Supply Corporation is in the process of preparing an NGA Section 7(c) application to the FERC for approval of the project. The preliminary cost estimate for the Line N Expansion Project is $23 million. As of March 31, 2010, approximately $0.2 million has been spent to study the Line N Expansion Project, which has been included in preliminary survey and investigation charges and has been fully reserved for at March 31, 2010.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
     The second strategic horsepower expansion project involves the addition of compression at Supply Corporation’s existing interconnect with Tennessee Gas Pipeline (“TGP”) at Lamont, Pennsylvania, with a projected in-service date of June 2010 (“Lamont Project”). The Lamont Project is designed and contracted for 40,000 Dth/day of firm transportation and will afford shippers a transportation path from their anticipated Marcellus production located in Elk and Cameron Counties, Pennsylvania to markets attached to Tennessee Gas Pipeline’s 300 Line. The Lamont Project is being constructed under Supply Corporation’s existing blanket construction certificate authority from the FERC. The cost estimate for the Lamont Project is $6 million. As of March 31, 2010, approximately $2.5 million has been spent related to the Lamont Project, all of which has been capitalized as Construction Work in Progress at March 31, 2010. A second Lamont project phase is also being planned. With the construction of additional horsepower, up to 50,000 Dth/day of incremental firm capacity could be available in early 2011. Supply Corporation has one signed precedent agreement for a portion of this capacity and is in the process of negotiating agreements for the remainder.
     Supply Corporation has also signed a binding precedent agreement for 320,000 Dth/day of firm transportation capacity in conjunction with its “Northern Access” expansion project. Upon satisfaction of the conditions in the precedent agreement, Statoil Natural Gas LLC will enter into a 20-year firm transportation agreement for 320,000 Dth/day. This capacity, which was offered and awarded in Supply Corporation’s “Open Season 159” that commenced January 12, 2010 and ended February 17, 2010, will provide the subscribing shipper with a firm transportation path from the Ellisburg area into TransCanada Pipeline at Niagara. This path is attractive because it provides a route for Marcellus shale gas to be distributed from the Marcellus supply basin to northern markets, principally along the TGP 300 Line in northern Pennsylvania. Service is expected to begin in mid-2012, and Supply Corporation is working on an application for FERC authorization of the project. The project facilities involve additional compression at Supply Corporation’s existing interconnects with TGP at Ellisburg and at East Aurora, along with other minor system enhancements. The preliminary cost estimate for the Northern Access expansion is $60 million, substantially all of which is expected to be incurred in fiscal 2012. As of March 31, 2010, no preliminary survey and investigation charges had been expended on this project.
     In addition, Supply Corporation continues to actively pursue its largest planned expansion, the West-to-East (“W2E”) pipeline project, which is designed to transport Rockies and/or locally produced natural gas supplies to the Ellisburg/Leidy/Corning area. Supply Corporation anticipates that the development of the W2E project will occur in phases. So, based on requests from the Marcellus producing community for transportation service commencing as early as 2011, Supply Corporation began a binding Open Season on August 26, 2009. This Open Season offered transportation capacity on two initial phases (“Phase I” and “Phase II”; together “W2E Overbeck to Leidy”) of the W2E pipeline project. As currently envisioned, the W2E Overbeck to Leidy project is designed to transport at least 425,000 Dth/day, and involves construction of a new 82-mile pipeline through Elk, Cameron, Clinton, Clearfield and Jefferson Counties to the Leidy Hub, from Marcellus and other producing areas along over 300 miles of Supply Corporation’s existing pipeline system. The anticipated in-service date for the first phase is late 2012. The project also includes approximately 25,000 horsepower of compression at two stations pumping from the existing pipeline system into the new pipeline.
     The binding Open Season for the W2E Overbeck to Leidy project concluded on October 8, 2009 with participation by several Marcellus producers. Supply Corporation received requests for 175,000 Dth/day of firm transportation capacity, and has executed binding precedent agreements for 125,000 Dth/day. Supply Corporation is pursuing post-Open Season capacity requests for the remaining capacity. Preliminary engineering, alternate routing analysis, preliminary cost estimate and rate design have been completed. On March 31, 2010, the FERC granted Supply Corporation’s request for a pre-filing environmental review of the W2E Overbeck to Leidy project, and Supply Corporation is in the process of preparing an NGA Section 7(c) application. The capital cost of this project is estimated to be $260 million. As of March 31, 2010, approximately $1.2 million has been spent to study the W2E Overbeck to Leidy project, which has been included in preliminary survey and investigation charges and has been fully reserved for at March 31, 2010.
     Supply Corporation has developed plans for new storage capacity by expansion of two of its existing storage facilities. The expansion of the East Branch and Galbraith fields, which could be completed in early 2013, provides 7.9 MMDth of incremental storage capacity and approximately 88 MDth per day of additional withdrawal deliverability. Supply Corporation expects that the availability of this incremental storage capacity

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
could complement the W2E Overbeck to Leidy project by providing incremental transportation throughput to and from various market interconnect points. It could also serve to balance the increasing flow of Appalachian gas supply through the western Pennsylvania area with the growing demand for gas on the East Coast. This storage expansion project would require an NGA Section 7 (c) application, which Supply Corporation has not yet filed. The preliminary cost estimate for this storage expansion project is $64 million. As of March 31, 2010, approximately $1.0 million has been spent to study this storage expansion project, which has been included in preliminary survey and investigation charges and has been fully reserved for at March 31, 2010. The specific timeline associated with the storage expansion will depend on market development.
     Supply Corporation expects that its previously announced Appalachian Lateral project will complement the W2E Overbeck to Leidy project due to its strategic upstream location. The Appalachian Lateral pipeline, which would be routed through several counties in central Pennsylvania where producers are actively drilling and seeking market access for their newly discovered reserves, will be able to collect and transport locally produced Marcellus shale gas into the W2E Overbeck to Leidy facilities. Supply Corporation expects to continue marketing efforts for all remaining sections of the W2E/Appalachian Lateral project. The timeline and projected costs associated with sections other than W2E Overbeck to Leidy, including the Appalachian Lateral project, will depend on market development. As of March 31, 2010, no preliminary survey and investigation charges had been spent on the remaining sections of the W2E/Appalachian Lateral project.
     On October 1, 2009, Empire commenced its “Open Season 006” for an expansion project that will provide at least 300,000 Dth/day of incremental firm transportation capacity from anticipated Marcellus production at new and existing interconnection(s) along its recently completed Empire Connector line and along a proposed 16-mile 24” pipeline extension into Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Empire’s preliminary cost estimate for the Tioga County Extension Project is approximately $45 million. This project would enable shippers to deliver their gas at existing Empire interconnections with Millennium Pipeline at Corning, New York, with TransCanada Pipeline at the Niagara River at Chippawa, and with utility and power generation markets along its path, as well as to a planned new interconnection with Tennessee Gas Pipeline’s 200 Line (Zone 5) in Ontario County, New York. Empire completed the non-binding Open Season process on November 25, 2009 for capacity in the Tioga County Extension Project, and has signed a binding precedent agreement with its anchor shipper for 200,000 Dth/day. Empire is in the process of finalizing binding precedent agreements with other shippers who participated in the Open Season, representing requests for an additional 150,000 Dth/day. On January 28, 2010, the FERC granted Empire’s request for a pre-filing environmental review of the Tioga County Extension Project, and Empire is in the process of preparing an NGA Section 7 (c) application to the FERC for approval of the project. Empire anticipates that these facilities will be placed in-service on or after September 1, 2011. As of March 31, 2010, approximately $0.8 million has been spent to study the Tioga County Extension Project, which has been included in preliminary survey and investigation charges and has been fully reserved for at March 31, 2010.
     The Company anticipates financing the Line N Expansion Project, the Lamont Project, the Northern Access expansion project, the W2E Overbeck to Leidy project, the storage expansion project, the Appalachian Lateral project, and the Tioga County Extension Project, all of which are discussed above, with a combination of cash from operations, short-term debt, and long-term debt. The Company had $426.8 million in Cash and Temporary Cash Investments at March 31, 2010, as shown on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company expects to use cash from operations as the first means of financing these projects, with short-term and long-term debt being used at a later time. Short-term debt may be used during 2010, but the Company does not expect to issue any long-term debt in conjunction with these projects until 2011.
Exploration and Production
     The Exploration and Production segment capital expenditures for the six months ended March 31, 2010 were primarily well drilling and completion expenditures and included approximately $5.4 million for the Gulf Coast region, the majority of which was for the off-shore program in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico, $14.8 million for the West Coast region and $170.8 million for the Appalachian region (including $152.7 million in the Marcellus Shale area). These amounts included approximately $18.2 million spent to

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
develop proved undeveloped reserves. The capital expenditures in the Appalachian region include the Company’s acquisition of two tracts of leasehold acreage for approximately $71.8 million. The Company acquired these tracts in order to expand its Marcellus Shale acreage holdings. These tracts, consisting of approximately 18,000 net acres in Tioga and Potter Counties in Pennsylvania, are geographically similar to the Company’s existing Marcellus Shale acreage in the area, and will help the Company continue its developmental drilling program. The transaction closed on March 12, 2010. The Company funded this transaction with cash from operations. It is anticipated that future capital expenditures during 2010 will be funded with cash from operations or short-term debt. Natural gas and crude oil prices combined with production from existing wells will be a significant factor in determining how much of the capital expenditures are funded from cash from operations.
     The Exploration and Production segment capital expenditures for the six months ended March 31, 2009 were primarily well drilling and completion expenditures and included approximately $13.3 million for the Gulf Coast region, substantially all of which was for the off-shore program in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico, $24.0 million for the West Coast region and $79.9 million for the Appalachian region. These amounts included approximately $17.8 million spent to develop proved undeveloped reserves.
All Other
     The majority of the All Other category’s capital expenditures for the six months ended March 31, 2010 were for the construction of Midstream Corporation’s Covington Gathering System, as discussed below. The majority of the All Other category’s capital expenditures for the six months ended March 31, 2009 were for purchases of equipment for Highland’s sawmill and kiln operations.
     NFG Midstream Covington, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Midstream Corporation, is constructing a gathering system in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. The project, called the Covington Gathering System, is being constructed in two phases. The first phase was completed and placed in service in November 2009. The second phase is anticipated to be placed in service in May 2010. When completed, the system will consist of approximately 15 miles of gathering system at a cost of $15 million to $18 million. As of March 31, 2010, Midstream Corporation has spent approximately $11.7 million in costs related to this project, including approximately $3.6 million spent during the six months ended March 31, 2010.
     The Company anticipates funding the Midstream Corporation projects with cash from operations and/or short-term borrowings. Given the Company’s cash position at March 31, 2010, the Company expects to use cash from operations as the first means of financing these projects.
     The Company continuously evaluates capital expenditures and investments in corporations, partnerships, and other business entities. The amounts are subject to modification for opportunities such as the acquisition of attractive oil and gas properties, natural gas storage facilities and the expansion of natural gas transmission line capacities. While the majority of capital expenditures in the Utility segment are necessitated by the continued need for replacement and upgrading of mains and service lines, the magnitude of future capital expenditures or other investments in the Company’s other business segments depends, to a large degree, upon market conditions.
Financing Cash Flow
     The Company did not have any outstanding short-term notes payable to banks or commercial paper at March 31, 2010. However, the Company continues to consider short-term debt (consisting of short-term notes payable to banks and commercial paper) an important source of cash for temporarily financing capital expenditures and investments in corporations and/or partnerships, gas-in-storage inventory, unrecovered purchased gas costs, margin calls on derivative financial instruments, exploration and development expenditures, repurchases of stock, and other working capital needs. Fluctuations in these items can have a significant impact on the amount and timing of short-term debt. As for bank loans, the Company maintains a number of individual uncommitted or discretionary lines of credit with certain financial institutions for general corporate purposes. Borrowings under these lines of credit are made at competitive market rates. These credit lines, which aggregate to $420.0 million, are revocable at the option of the financial institutions and are reviewed on an annual basis. The Company anticipates that these lines of credit will continue to be renewed,

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
or replaced by similar lines. The total amount available to be issued under the Company’s commercial paper program is $300.0 million. The commercial paper program is backed by a syndicated committed credit facility totaling $300.0 million that extends through September 30, 2010.
     Under the Company’s committed credit facility, the Company has agreed that its debt to capitalization ratio will not exceed .65 at the last day of any fiscal quarter through September 30, 2010. At March 31, 2010, the Company’s debt to capitalization ratio (as calculated under the facility) was .42. The constraints specified in the committed credit facility would permit an additional $1.92 billion in short-term and/or long-term debt to be outstanding (further limited by the indenture covenants discussed below) before the Company’s debt to capitalization ratio would exceed .65. If a downgrade in any of the Company’s credit ratings were to occur, access to the commercial paper markets might not be possible. However, the Company expects that it could borrow under its committed credit facility, uncommitted bank lines of credit or rely upon other liquidity sources, including cash provided by operations. At March 31, 2010, the Company’s long-term debt ratings were: BBB (S&P), Baa1 (Moody’s Investor Service), and BBB+ (Fitch Ratings Service). In March 2010, Fitch Rating Service decreased the Company’s long-term debt rating from A- to BBB+. The Company does not believe that this ratings action will impact its access to the commercial paper markets. At March 31, 2010, the Company’s commercial paper ratings were: A-2 (S&P), P-2 (Moody’s Investor Service), and F2 (Fitch Ratings Service).
     Under the Company’s existing indenture covenants, at March 31, 2010, the Company would have been permitted to issue up to a maximum of $1.3 billion in additional long-term unsecured indebtedness at then current market interest rates in addition to being able to issue new indebtedness to replace maturing debt. The Company’s present liquidity position is believed to be adequate to satisfy known demands. However, if the Company were to experience another impairment of oil and gas properties in the future, it is possible that these indenture covenants would restrict the Company’s ability to issue additional long-term unsecured indebtedness. This would not preclude the Company from issuing new indebtedness to replace maturing debt.
     The Company’s 1974 indenture pursuant to which $99.0 million (or 7.9%) of the Company’s long-term debt (as of March 31, 2010) was issued, contains a cross-default provision whereby the failure by the Company to perform certain obligations under other borrowing arrangements could trigger an obligation to repay the debt outstanding under the indenture. In particular, a repayment obligation could be triggered if the Company fails (i) to pay any scheduled principal or interest on any debt under any other indenture or agreement or (ii) to perform any other term in any other such indenture or agreement, and the effect of the failure causes, or would permit the holders of the debt to cause, the debt under such indenture or agreement to become due prior to its stated maturity, unless cured or waived.
     The Company’s $300.0 million committed credit facility also contains a cross-default provision whereby the failure by the Company or its significant subsidiaries to make payments under other borrowing arrangements, or the occurrence of certain events affecting those other borrowing arrangements, could trigger an obligation to repay any amounts outstanding under the committed credit facility. In particular, a repayment obligation could be triggered if (i) the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries fail to make a payment when due of any principal or interest on any other indebtedness aggregating $20.0 million or more or (ii) an event occurs that causes, or would permit the holders of any other indebtedness aggregating $20.0 million or more to cause, such indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity. As of March 31, 2010, the Company had no debt outstanding under the committed credit facility.
     The Company’s embedded cost of long-term debt was 6.95% at March 31, 2010 and 6.5% at March 31, 2009. If the Company were to issue long-term debt today, its borrowing costs might be expected to be in the range of 5.5% to 6.5% depending on the maturity date.
     Current Portion of Long-Term Debt at March 31, 2010 consists of $200 million of 7.50% medium-term notes that mature in November 2010. Currently, the Company expects to refund these medium-term notes in November 2010 with cash on hand and/or short-term borrowings.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
     The Company may issue debt or equity securities in a public offering or a private placement from time to time. The amounts and timing of the issuance and sale of debt or equity securities will depend on market conditions, indenture requirements, regulatory authorizations and the capital requirements of the Company.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
     The Company has entered into certain off-balance sheet financing arrangements. These financing arrangements are primarily operating leases. The Company’s consolidated subsidiaries have operating leases, the majority of which are with the Utility and the Pipeline and Storage segments, having a remaining lease commitment of approximately $24.2 million. These leases have been entered into for the use of buildings, vehicles, construction tools, meters, and other items and are accounted for as operating leases.
OTHER MATTERS
     In addition to the legal proceedings disclosed in Part II, Item 1 of this report, the Company is involved in other litigation and regulatory matters arising in the normal course of business. These other matters may include, for example, negligence claims and tax, regulatory or other governmental audits, inspections, investigations or other proceedings. These matters may involve state and federal taxes, safety, compliance with regulations, rate base, cost of service and purchased gas cost issues, among other things. While these normal-course matters could have a material effect on earnings and cash flows in the quarterly and annual period in which they are resolved, they are not expected to change materially the Company’s present liquidity position, nor are they expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company.
     During the six months ended March 31, 2010, the Company contributed $20.2 million to its Retirement Plan and $16.1 million to its VEBA trusts and 401(h) accounts for its other post-retirement benefits. In the remainder of 2010, the Company does not expect to contribute to the Retirement Plan. It is likely that the Company will have to fund larger amounts to the Retirement Plan subsequent to fiscal 2010 in order to be in compliance with the Pension Protection Act of 2006. In the remainder of 2010, the Company expects to contribute in the range of $9.0 million to $10.0 million to its VEBA trusts and 401(h) accounts.
Market Risk Sensitive Instruments
     In accordance with the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements, the Company has identified certain inputs used to recognize fair value as Level 3 (unobservable inputs). The Level 3 derivative assets relate to oil swap agreements used to hedge forecasted sales at a specific location (southern California). The Company’s internal model that is used to calculate fair value applies a historical basis differential (between the sales locations and NYMEX) to a forward NYMEX curve because there is not a forward curve specific to this sales location. Given the high level of historical correlation between NYMEX prices and prices at this sales location, the Company does not believe that the fair value recorded by the Company would be significantly different from what it expects to receive upon settlement.
     The Company uses the crude oil swaps classified as Level 3 to hedge against the risk of declining commodity prices and not as speculative investments. Gains or losses related to these Level 3 Net Derivative Liabilities (including any reduction for credit risk) are deferred until the hedged commodity transaction occurs in accordance with the provisions of the existing guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Level 3 Net Liabilities amount to $14.1 million at March 31, 2010 or 3.6% of the Total Net Assets shown in Part I, Item 1 at Note 2 — Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2010.
     The decrease in the net fair value of the Level 3 positions from October 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010, as shown in Part I, Item 1 at Note 2, was attributable to an increase in the commodity price of crude oil relative to the swap price during that period. The Company believes that these fair values reasonably represent the amounts that the Company would realize upon settlement based on commodity prices that were present at March 31, 2010.
     The fair value of all the Company’s Net Derivative Financial Instruments Assets was reduced by $1.0 million based on the Company’s assessment of credit risk. The Company applied default probabilities to the anticipated cash flows that it was expecting from its counterparties to calculate the credit reserve.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
     For a complete discussion of market risk sensitive instruments, refer to “Market Risk Sensitive Instruments” in Item 7 of the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K. There have been no subsequent material changes to the Company’s exposure to market risk sensitive instruments.
Rate and Regulatory Matters
Utility Operation
     Base rate adjustments in both the New York and Pennsylvania jurisdictions do not reflect the recovery of purchased gas costs. Such costs are recovered through operation of the purchased gas adjustment clauses of the appropriate regulatory authorities.
New York Jurisdiction
     Customer delivery rates charged by Distribution Corporation’s New York division were established in a rate order issued on December 21, 2007 by the NYPSC. The rate order approved a revenue increase of $1.8 million annually, together with a surcharge that would collect up to $10.8 million to recover expenses for implementation of an efficiency and conservation incentive program. The rate order further provided for a return on equity of 9.1%. In connection with the efficiency and conservation program, the rate order adopted Distribution Corporation’s proposed revenue decoupling mechanism. The revenue decoupling mechanism, like others, “decouples” revenues from throughput by enabling the Company to collect from small volume customers its allowed margin on average weather normalized usage per customer. The effect of the revenue decoupling mechanism is to render the Company financially indifferent to throughput decreases resulting from conservation. The Company surcharges or credits any difference from the average weather normalized usage per customer account. The surcharge or credit is calculated to recover total margin for the most recent twelve-month period ending December 31st, and is applied to customer bills annually, beginning March 1st.
     On April 18, 2008, Distribution Corporation filed an appeal with Supreme Court, Albany County, seeking review of the rate order. The appeal contended that portions of the rate order were invalid because they failed to meet the applicable legal standard for agency decisions. Among the issues challenged by the Company were the reasonableness of the NYPSC’s disallowance of expense items and the methodology used for calculating rate of return, which the appeal contended understated the Company’s cost of equity. Because of the issues appealed, the case was later transferred to the Appellate Division, New York State’s second-highest court. On December 31, 2009, the Appellate Division issued its Opinion and Judgment. The court upheld the NYPSC’s determination relating to the authorized rate of return but also supported the Company’s argument that the NYPSC improperly disallowed recovery of certain environmental clean-up costs. The court remanded that issue to the NYPSC for further proceedings consistent with its decision. The remand proceedings have not yet been initiated by the NYPSC. On February 1, 2010, the NYPSC filed a motion with the Court of Appeals, New York State’s highest court, seeking permission to appeal the Appellate Division’s annulment of that part of the rate order relating to disallowance of environmental clean up costs. On May 4, 2010, the NYPSC’s motion was granted, and the matter will be heard by the Court of Appeals. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the appeal proceedings at this time.
Pennsylvania Jurisdiction
     Distribution Corporation currently does not have a rate case on file with the PaPUC. Distribution Corporation’s current tariff in its Pennsylvania jurisdiction was last approved by the PaPUC on November 30, 2006 as part of a settlement agreement that became effective January 1, 2007.
Pipeline and Storage
     Supply Corporation currently does not have a rate case on file with the FERC. The rate settlement approved by the FERC on February 9, 2007 requires Supply Corporation to make a general rate filing to be effective December 1, 2011, and bars Supply Corporation from making a general rate filing before then, with some exceptions specified in the settlement.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
     Empire’s new facilities (the Empire Connector project) were placed into service on December 10, 2008. As of that date, Empire became an interstate pipeline subject to FERC regulation, performing services under a FERC-approved tariff and at FERC-approved rates. The December 21, 2006 FERC order issuing Empire its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity requires Empire to file a cost and revenue study at the FERC, within three years after the in-service date, in conjunction with which Empire will either justify Empire’s existing recourse rates or propose alternative rates.
Environmental Matters
     The Company is subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. The Company has established procedures for the ongoing evaluation of its operations to identify potential environmental exposures and comply with regulatory policies and procedures. It is the Company’s policy to accrue estimated environmental clean-up costs (investigation and remediation) when such amounts can reasonably be estimated and it is probable that the Company will be required to incur such costs.
     The Company has agreed with the NYDEC to remediate a former manufactured gas plant site located in New York. The Company has received approval from the NYDEC of a Remedial Design work plan for this site and has recorded an estimated minimum liability for remediation of this site of $15.0 million.
     At March 31, 2010, the Company has estimated its remaining clean-up costs related to former manufactured gas plant sites and third party waste disposal sites (including the former manufactured gas plant site discussed above) will be in the range of $17.7 million to $21.9 million. The minimum estimated liability of $17.7 million, which includes the $15.0 million discussed above, has been recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2010. The Company expects to recover its environmental clean-up costs from a combination of rate recovery and deferred insurance proceeds that are currently recorded as a regulatory liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
     Legislative and regulatory measures to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are in various phases of discussion or implementation. The EPA has determined that stationary sources of significant greenhouse gas emissions will be required under the federal Clean Air Act to obtain permits covering such emissions beginning in January 2011. In addition, the U.S. Congress has been considering bills that would establish a cap-and-trade program to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Legislation or regulation that restricts carbon emissions could increase the Company’s cost of environmental compliance by requiring the Company to install new equipment to reduce emissions from larger facilities and/or purchase emission allowances. Climate change and greenhouse gas measures could also delay or otherwise negatively affect efforts to obtain permits and other regulatory approvals with regard to existing and new facilities, or impose additional monitoring and reporting requirements. But legislation or regulation that sets a price on or otherwise restricts carbon emissions could also benefit the Company by increasing demand for natural gas, because substantially fewer carbon emissions per Btu of heat generated are associated with the use of natural gas than with certain alternate fuels such as coal and oil. The effect (material or not) on the Company of any new legislative or regulatory measures will depend on the particular provisions that are ultimately adopted.
     The Company is currently not aware of any material additional exposure to environmental liabilities. However, changes in environmental regulations or other factors could adversely impact the Company.
New Authoritative Accounting and Financial Reporting Guidance
     In September 2006, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. This guidance serves to clarify the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect that fair-value measurements have on earnings. This guidance is to be applied whenever assets or liabilities are to be measured at fair value. On October 1, 2008, the Company adopted this guidance for financial assets and financial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. The FASB’s authoritative guidance for using fair value to measure nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on a nonrecurring basis became effective during the quarter ended December 31, 2009. The Company’s nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities were not impacted by this guidance during the six months ended March 31, 2010. The Company has

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
identified Goodwill as being the major nonfinancial asset that may be impacted by the adoption of this guidance. The impact of this guidance will be known when the Company performs its annual test for goodwill impairment at the end of the fiscal year; however, at this time, it is not expected to be material. The Company has identified Asset Retirement Obligations as a nonfinancial liability that may be impacted by the adoption of the guidance. The impact of this guidance will be known when the Company recognizes new asset retirement obligations. However, at this time, the Company believes the impact of the guidance will be immaterial. Additionally, in February 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance that includes additional requirements and disclosures regarding fair value measurements. The guidance now requires the gross presentation of activity within the Level 3 roll forward and requires disclosure of details on transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 fair value measurements. It also provides further clarification on the level of disaggregation of fair value measurements and disclosures on inputs and valuation techniques. Effective with this March 31, 2010 Form 10-Q, the Company has updated its disclosures to reflect the new requirements in Part I, Item 1 at Note 2 — Fair Value Measurements, except for the Level 3 roll forward gross presentation, which will be effective as of the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2012.
     On December 31, 2008, the SEC issued a final rule on Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting. The final rule modifies the SEC’s reporting and disclosure rules for oil and gas reserves and aligns the full cost accounting rules with the revised disclosures. The most notable changes of the final rule include the replacement of the single day period-end pricing used to value oil and gas reserves with a 12-month average of the first day of the month price for each month within the reporting period. The final rule also permits voluntary disclosure of probable and possible reserves, a disclosure previously prohibited by SEC rules. Additionally, on January 6, 2010, the FASB amended the oil and gas accounting standards to conform to the SEC final rule on Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting. The revised reporting and disclosure requirements will be effective for the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2010. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of these rules will have on its consolidated financial statements and MD&A disclosures.
     In March 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that expands the disclosures required in an employer’s financial statements about pension and other post-retirement benefit plan assets. The additional disclosures include more details on how investment allocation decisions are made, the plan’s investment policies and strategies, the major categories of plan assets, the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets, the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets for the period, and disclosure regarding significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. The additional disclosure requirements are required for the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this authoritative guidance will have on its consolidated financial statement disclosures.
     In June 2009, the FASB issued amended authoritative guidance to improve and clarify financial reporting requirements by companies involved with variable interest entities. The new guidance requires a company to perform an analysis to determine whether the company’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. The analysis also assists in identifying the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. This authoritative guidance will be effective as of the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this authoritative guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
     The Company is including the following cautionary statement in this Form 10-Q to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, projections, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts. From time to time, the Company may publish or otherwise make available forward-looking statements of this nature. All such subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are also expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Certain statements contained in this report, including, without limitation, statements regarding future prospects, plans, objectives, goals,

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
projections, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions, capital structure, anticipated capital expenditures, completion of construction projects, projections for pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, impacts of the adoption of new accounting rules, and possible outcomes of litigation or regulatory proceedings, as well as statements that are identified by the use of the words “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “will,” “may,” and similar expressions, are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and accordingly involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. The Company’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis, including, without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company’s records and other data available from third parties, but there can be no assurance that management’s expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished. In addition to other factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein, the following are important factors that, in the view of the Company, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements:
1.   Financial and economic conditions, including the availability of credit, and their effect on the Company’s ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms for working capital, capital expenditures and other investments;
 
2.   Occurrences affecting the Company’s ability to obtain financing under credit lines or other credit facilities or through the issuance of commercial paper, other short-term notes or debt or equity securities, including any downgrades in the Company’s credit ratings and changes in interest rates and other capital market conditions;
 
3.   Changes in economic conditions, including global, national or regional recessions, and their effect on the demand for, and customers’ ability to pay for, the Company’s products and services;
 
4.   The creditworthiness or performance of the Company’s key suppliers, customers and counterparties;
 
5.   Economic disruptions or uninsured losses resulting from terrorist activities, acts of war, major accidents, fires, hurricanes, other severe weather, pest infestation or other natural disasters;
 
6.   Changes in demographic patterns and weather conditions;
 
7.   Changes in the availability and/or price of natural gas or oil and the effect of such changes on the accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments or the valuation of the Company’s natural gas and oil reserves;
 
8.   Impairments under the SEC’s full cost ceiling test for natural gas and oil reserves;
 
9.   Uncertainty of oil and gas reserve estimates;
 
10.   Factors affecting the Company’s ability to successfully identify, drill for and produce economically viable natural gas and oil reserves, including among others geology, lease availability, weather conditions, shortages, delays or unavailability of equipment and services required in drilling operations, insufficient gathering, processing and transportation capacity, and the need to obtain governmental approvals and permits and comply with environmental laws and regulations;
 
11.   Significant differences between the Company’s projected and actual production levels for natural gas or oil;
 
12.   Changes in the availability and/or price of derivative financial instruments;

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Cont.)
13.   Changes in the price differentials between oil having different quality and/or different geographic locations, or changes in the price differentials between natural gas having different heating values and/or different geographic locations;
 
14.   Changes in laws and regulations to which the Company is subject, including those involving taxes, safety, employment, climate change, other environmental matters, and exploration and production activities such as hydraulic fracturing;
 
15.   The nature and projected profitability of pending and potential projects and other investments, and the ability to obtain necessary governmental approvals and permits;
 
16.   Significant differences between the Company’s projected and actual capital expenditures and operating expenses, and unanticipated project delays or changes in project costs or plans;
 
17.   Inability to obtain new customers or retain existing ones;
 
18.   Significant changes in competitive factors affecting the Company;
 
19.   Governmental/regulatory actions, initiatives and proceedings, including those involving acquisitions, financings, rate cases (which address, among other things, allowed rates of return, rate design and retained natural gas), affiliate relationships, industry structure, franchise renewal, and environmental/safety requirements;
 
20.   Unanticipated impacts of restructuring initiatives in the natural gas and electric industries;
 
21.   Ability to successfully identify and finance acquisitions or other investments and ability to operate and integrate existing and any subsequently acquired business or properties;
 
22.   Changes in actuarial assumptions, the interest rate environment and the return on plan/trust assets related to the Company’s pension and other post-retirement benefits, which can affect future funding obligations and costs and plan liabilities;
 
23.   Significant changes in tax rates or policies or in rates of inflation or interest;
 
24.   Significant changes in the Company’s relationship with its employees or contractors and the potential adverse effects if labor disputes, grievances or shortages were to occur;
 
25.   Changes in accounting principles or the application of such principles to the Company;
 
26.   The cost and effects of legal and administrative claims against the Company or activist shareholder campaigns to effect changes at the Company;
 
27.   Increasing health care costs and the resulting effect on health insurance premiums and on the obligation to provide other post-retirement benefits; or
 
28.   Increasing costs of insurance, changes in coverage and the ability to obtain insurance.
     The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Concl.)
Industry and Market Information
     The industry and market data used or referenced in this report are based on independent industry publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources. Some industry and market data may also be based on good faith estimates, which are derived from the Company’s review of internal information, as well as the independent sources listed above. Independent industry publications and surveys generally state that they have obtained information from sources believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information. While the Company believes that each of these studies and publications is reliable, the Company has not independently verified such data and makes no representation as to the accuracy of such information. Forecasts in particular may prove to be inaccurate, especially over long periods of time. Similarly, while the Company believes its internal information is reliable, such information has not been verified by any independent sources, and the Company makes no assurances that any predictions contained herein will prove to be accurate.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
     Refer to the “Market Risk Sensitive Instruments” section in Item 2 — MD&A.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
     The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. These rules refer to the controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2010.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
     There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
     For a discussion of various environmental and other matters, refer to Part I, Item 1 at Note 6 — Commitments and Contingencies, and Part I, Item 2 — MD&A of this report under the heading “Other Matters — Environmental Matters.”
     In addition to these matters, the Company is involved in other litigation and regulatory matters arising in the normal course of business. These other matters may include, for example, negligence claims and tax, regulatory or other governmental audits, inspections, investigations or other proceedings. These matters may involve state and federal taxes, safety, compliance with regulations, rate base, cost of service, and purchased gas cost issues, among other things. While these normal-course matters could have a material effect on earnings and cash flows in the quarterly and annual period in which they are resolved, they are not expected to change materially the Company’s present liquidity position, nor are they expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors
     The risk factors in Item 1A of the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K, as amended by Item 1A of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, have not materially changed other than as set forth below. The risk factors presented below supersede the risk factors having the same or substantially the same captions in the 2009 Form 10-K or the December 31, 2009 Form 10-Q and should otherwise be read in conjunction with all of the risk factors disclosed in the 2009 Form 10-K and the December 31, 2009 Form 10-Q.
Fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices could adversely affect revenues, cash flows and profitability.
     Operations in the Company’s Exploration and Production segment are materially dependent on prices received for its oil and natural gas production. Both short-term and long-term price trends affect the economics of exploring for, developing, producing, gathering and processing oil and natural gas. Oil and natural gas prices can be volatile and can be affected by: weather conditions, including natural disasters; the supply and price of foreign oil and natural gas; the level of consumer product demand; national and worldwide economic conditions, including economic disruptions caused by terrorist activities, acts of war or major accidents; political conditions in foreign countries; the price and availability of alternative fuels; the proximity to, and availability of capacity on transportation facilities; regional levels of supply and demand; energy conservation measures; and government regulations, such as regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and natural gas transportation, royalties, and price controls. The Company sells most of the oil and natural gas that it produces at current market prices rather than through fixed-price contracts, although as discussed below, the Company frequently hedges the price of a significant portion of its future production in the financial markets. The prices the Company receives depend upon factors beyond the Company’s control, including the factors affecting price mentioned above. The Company believes that any prolonged reduction in oil and natural gas prices would restrict its ability to continue the level of exploration and production activity the Company otherwise would pursue, which could have a material adverse effect on its revenues, cash flows and results of operations.
     In the Company’s Pipeline and Storage segment, significant changes in the price differential between equivalent quantities of natural gas at different geographic locations or between futures contracts for natural gas having different delivery dates could adversely impact the Company. For example, if the price of natural gas at a particular receipt point on the Company’s pipeline system increases relative to the price of natural gas at other locations, then the volume of natural gas received by the Company at the relatively more expensive receipt point may decrease, or the price the Company charges to transport that natural gas may decrease. Additionally, if the prices of natural gas futures contracts for winter deliveries to locations served by the Pipeline and Storage segment decline relative to the prices of such contracts for summer deliveries (for example, as a result of increased production of natural gas within the Pipeline and Storage segment’s geographic area), then demand for the Company’s natural gas storage services driven by that price differential could decrease. These changes could adversely affect revenues, cash flows and results of operations.
Environmental regulation significantly affects the Company’s business.
     The Company’s business operations are subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection. These laws and regulations concern the generation, storage, transportation, disposal or discharge of contaminants and greenhouse gases into the environment, the reporting of such matters, and the general protection of public health, natural resources, wildlife and the environment. Costs of compliance and liabilities could negatively affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In addition, compliance with environmental laws and regulations could require unexpected capital expenditures at the Company’s facilities or delay or cause the cancellation of expansion projects or oil and natural gas drilling activities. Because the costs of complying with environmental regulations are significant, additional regulation could negatively affect the Company’s business. Although the Company cannot predict the impact of the interpretation or enforcement of EPA standards or other federal, state and local regulations, the Company’s costs could increase if environmental laws and regulations become more strict.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors (Concl.)
     Legislative and regulatory measures to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are in various phases of discussion or implementation. The EPA has determined that stationary sources of significant greenhouse gas emissions will be required under the federal Clean Air Act to obtain permits covering such emissions beginning in January 2011. In addition, the U.S. Congress has been considering bills that would establish a cap-and-trade program to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Legislation or regulation that restricts carbon emissions could increase the Company’s cost of environmental compliance by requiring the Company to install new equipment to reduce emissions from larger facilities and/or purchase emission allowances. Climate change and greenhouse gas measures could also delay or otherwise negatively affect efforts to obtain permits and other regulatory approvals with regard to existing and new facilities, or impose additional monitoring and reporting requirements. The effect (material or not) on the Company of any new legislative or regulatory measures will depend on the particular provisions that are ultimately adopted.
Increased regulation of exploration and production activities, including hydraulic fracturing, could adversely impact the Company.
     Due to the burgeoning Marcellus Shale play in the northeast United States, together with the fiscal difficulties faced by state governments in New York and Pennsylvania, various state legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding the exploration and production business are possible. These initiatives could include new severance taxes for oil and gas production and new statutes and regulations governing hydraulic fracturing of wells, surface owners’ rights and damage compensation, the spacing of wells, and environmental and safety issues regarding natural gas pipelines. Additionally, legislative initiatives in the U.S. Congress and regulatory proceedings or initiatives at federal agencies focused on the hydraulic fracturing process could result in additional permitting, compliance and reporting requirements. If adopted, any such new state or federal legislation or regulation could lead to operational delays or restrictions, increased operating costs, additional regulatory burdens and increased risks of litigation for the Company’s Exploration and Production segment.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
     On January 4, 2010, the Company issued a total of 3,200 unregistered shares of Company common stock to the eight non-employee directors of the Company then serving on the Board of Directors of the Company and receiving compensation under the Company’s Retainer Policy for Non-Employee Directors, 400 shares to each such director. On March 12, 2010, the Company issued 89 unregistered shares of Company common stock to Philip C. Ackerman, a non-employee director of the Company who became eligible for compensation under the Company’s Retainer Policy for Non-Employee Directors on that date. (From June 1, 2008 to March 11, 2010, the Company compensated Mr. Ackerman pursuant to a Director Services Agreement.) All of these unregistered shares were issued as partial consideration for such directors’ services during the quarter ended March 31, 2010. These transactions were exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as transactions not involving a public offering.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
                                 
                    Total Number of   Maximum Number
                    Shares Purchased   of Shares that May
                    as Part of Publicly   Yet Be Purchased
    Total Number of           Announced Share   Under Share
    Shares   Average Price Paid   Repurchase Plans   Repurchase Plans
Period   Purchased(a)   per Share   or Programs   or Programs (b)
Jan. 1 - 31, 2010
    15,528     $ 51.04             6,971,019  
Feb. 1 - 28, 2010
    10,912     $ 46.74             6,971,019  
Mar. 1 - 31, 2010
    8,397     $ 51.63             6,971,019  
 
                               
Total
    34,837     $ 49.84             6,971,019  

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds (Concl.)
 
(a)   Represents (i) shares of common stock of the Company purchased on the open market with Company “matching contributions” for the accounts of participants in the Company’s 401(k) plans, and (ii) shares of common stock of the Company tendered to the Company by holders of stock options or shares of restricted stock for the payment of option exercise prices or applicable withholding taxes. During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock pursuant to its publicly announced share repurchase program. Of the 34,837 shares purchased other than through a publicly announced share repurchase program, 24,239 were purchased for the Company’s 401(k) plans and 10,598 were purchased as a result of shares tendered to the Company by holders of stock options or shares of restricted stock.
 
(b)   In December 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to eight million shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company completed the repurchase of the eight million shares during 2008. In September 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional eight million shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company, however, stopped repurchasing shares after September 17, 2008 in light of the unsettled nature of the credit markets. However, such repurchases may be made in the future, either in the open market or through private transactions.
Item 6. Exhibits
     
Exhibit    
Number   Description of Exhibit
 
   
  National Fuel Gas Company 2010 Equity Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1, Form 8-K dated March 17, 2010 in File No. 1-3880).
 
   
  Administrative Rules of the Compensation Committee, as amended and restated effective March 11, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2, Form 8-K dated March 17, 2010 in File No. 1-3880).
 
   
10.1
  Form of Stock Appreciation Right Award Notice under the National Fuel Gas Company 2010 Equity Compensation Plan.
 
   
12
  Statements regarding Computation of Ratios:
 
   
 
  Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2010 and the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2006 through 2009.
 
   
31.1
  Written statements of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
   
31.2
  Written statements of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
   
32
  Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
99
  National Fuel Gas Company Consolidated Statement of Income for the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
   
  Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.

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SIGNATURES
     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.
         
  NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
(Registrant)
 
 
  /s/ R. J. Tanski    
  R. J. Tanski   
  Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer   
 
     
  /s/ K. M. Camiolo    
  K. M. Camiolo   
  Controller and Principal Accounting Officer   
 
Date: May 7, 2010

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