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SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES INC - Quarter Report: 2012 March (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark one)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012
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 1-6364

SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New Jersey
 
22-1901645
(State of incorporation)
 
(IRS employer identification no.)
1 South Jersey Plaza, Folsom, NJ 08037
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(609) 561-9000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Common Stock
 
 
($1.25 par value per share)
 
New York Stock Exchange
(Title of each class)
 
(Name of exchange on which registered)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes x   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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x   No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer   x
 
Accelerated 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 x
As of May 1, 2012 there were 30,400,671 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.




TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
PageNo.
 
 
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 6.
 
 
 


Table of Contents

Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands Except for Per Share Data)
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Operating Revenues:
 
 
 
Utility
$
179,202

 
$
174,389

Nonutility
95,630

 
157,533

Total Operating Revenues
274,832

 
331,922

Operating Expenses:
 

 
 

Cost of Sales - (Excluding depreciation)
 

 
 

 - Utility
86,265

 
82,640

 - Nonutility
70,603

 
133,580

Operations
27,782

 
25,694

Maintenance
3,192

 
3,009

Depreciation
9,604

 
8,652

Energy and Other Taxes
3,878

 
5,300

Total Operating Expenses
201,324

 
258,875

Operating Income
73,508

 
73,047

 
 
 
 
Other Income and Expense
1,873

 
6,572

Interest Charges
(5,493
)
 
(5,981
)
Income Before Income Taxes
69,888

 
73,638

Income Taxes
(15,884
)
 
(22,510
)
Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies
207

 
703

Income from Continuing Operations
54,211

 
51,831

Loss from Discontinued Operations - (Net of tax benefit)
(136
)
 
(383
)
Net Income
$
54,075

 
$
51,448

 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
 

 
 

Continuing Operations
$
1.792

 
$
1.734

Discontinued Operations
(0.004
)
 
(0.013
)
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
$
1.788

 
$
1.721

 
 
 
 
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Basic
30,249

 
29,899

 
 
 
 
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
 

 
 

Continuing Operations
$
1.788

 
$
1.728

Discontinued Operations
(0.005
)
 
(0.013
)
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
$
1.783

 
$
1.715

 
 
 
 
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Diluted
30,323

 
29,991

 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared per Common Share (See Note 4)
$
0.403

 
0.365

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


1

Table of Contents

SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Net Income
$
54,075

 
$
51,448

 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax:*
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available-for-Sale Securities
351

 
(154
)
Unrealized Gain on Derivatives - Other
190

 
107

Other Comprehensive Loss of Affiliated Companies
(2,282
)
 
(1,079
)
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Loss - Net of Tax*
(1,741
)
 
(1,126
)
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
$
52,334

 
$
50,322

 
* Determined using a combined statutory tax rate of 41%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
$
42,159

 
$
125,979

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 

 
 

Capital Expenditures
(45,387
)
 
(32,066
)
Net (Purchase of) Proceeds from Sale of Restricted Investments in Margin Account
(4,538
)
 
1,718

Investment in Long-Term Receivables
(1,480
)
 
(1,492
)
Proceeds from Long-Term Receivables
2,293

 
1,691

Investment in Affiliate
(16,286
)
 
(19,933
)
Advances on Notes Receivable - Affiliate
(10,011
)
 
(18,573
)
Repayment of Notes Receivable - Affiliate
3,796

 
26,050

Other
(567
)
 
(4,139
)
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
(72,180
)
 
(46,744
)
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 

 
 

Net Borrowings from (Repayments of) Short-Term Credit Facilities
23,300

 
(98,200
)
Payments for Issuance of Long-Term Debt
(172
)
 
(10
)
Proceeds from Sale of Common Stock
2,902

 

Proceeds from Finance Obligation

 
19,920

 
 
 
 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
26,030

 
(78,290
)
 
 
 
 
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(3,991
)
 
945

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
7,538

 
2,363

 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
3,547

 
$
3,308


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
Assets
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
Utility Plant, at original cost
$
1,553,865

 
$
1,515,274

Accumulated Depreciation
(363,060
)
 
(357,245
)
Nonutility Property and Equipment, at cost
225,400

 
221,051

Accumulated Depreciation
(29,157
)
 
(26,687
)
 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
1,387,048

 
1,352,393

 
 
 
 
Investments:
 

 
 

Available-for-Sale Securities
7,262

 
6,677

Restricted
23,197

 
18,658

Investment in Affiliates
47,862

 
31,815

 
 
 
 
Total Investments
78,321

 
57,150

 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 

 
 

Cash and Cash Equivalents
3,547

 
7,538

Accounts Receivable
152,623

 
135,253

Unbilled Revenues
29,862

 
42,961

Provision for Uncollectibles
(5,396
)
 
(5,337
)
Notes Receivable - Affiliate
2,964

 
2,747

Natural Gas in Storage, average cost
45,625

 
68,823

Materials and Supplies, average cost
2,918

 
2,794

Deferred Income Taxes - Net

 
12,779

Prepaid Taxes
9,580

 
22,303

Derivatives - Energy Related Assets
38,545

 
37,461

Other Prepayments and Current Assets
14,295

 
13,287

 
 
 
 
Total Current Assets
294,563

 
340,609

 
 
 
 
Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets:
 

 
 

Regulatory Assets
314,448

 
315,221

Derivatives - Energy Related Assets
9,814

 
8,135

Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
7,401

 
7,009

Notes Receivable-Affiliate
112,939

 
111,946

Contract Receivables
13,517

 
13,280

Other
42,324

 
41,767

 
 
 
 
Total Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets
500,443

 
497,358

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
2,260,375

 
$
2,247,510

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
Capitalization and Liabilities
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
Common Stock
$
37,887

 
$
37,765

Premium on Common Stock
276,677

 
273,303

Treasury Stock (at par)
(145
)
 
(193
)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(30,179
)
 
(28,438
)
Retained Earnings
383,552

 
341,677

 
 
 
 
Total Equity
667,792

 
624,114

 
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
426,400

 
424,213

 
 
 
 
Total Capitalization
1,094,192

 
1,048,327

 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 

 
 

Notes Payable
344,700

 
321,400

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

 
2,187

Accounts Payable
128,203

 
153,666

Customer Deposits and Credit Balances
18,371

 
24,914

Environmental Remediation Costs
18,709

 
24,721

Taxes Accrued
6,102

 
3,168

Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities
36,712

 
38,738

Deferred Income Taxes - Net
3,794

 

Deferred Contract Revenues
781

 
996

Dividends Payable
12,200

 

Interest Accrued
4,905

 
6,408

Pension Benefits
1,240

 
1,275

Other Current Liabilities
7,075

 
10,498

 
 
 
 
Total Current Liabilities
582,792

 
587,971

 
 
 
 
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities:
 

 
 

Deferred Income Taxes - Net
290,594

 
295,434

Investment Tax Credits
833

 
905

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
86,153

 
109,021

Environmental Remediation Costs
73,962

 
69,439

Asset Retirement Obligations
29,490

 
29,430

Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities
5,220

 
7,367

Derivatives - Other
12,084

 
14,046

Regulatory Liabilities
48,822

 
48,311

Finance Obligation
22,323

 
22,549

Other
13,910

 
14,710

 
 
 
 
Total Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
583,391

 
611,212

 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies  (Note 11)


 


 
 
 
 
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
$
2,260,375

 
$
2,247,510

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

 Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

GENERAL - South Jersey Industries, Inc. (SJI or the Company) currently provides a variety of energy related products and services primarily through the following subsidiaries:

South Jersey Gas Company (SJG) is a regulated natural gas utility. SJG distributes natural gas in the seven southernmost counties of New Jersey.

South Jersey Resources Group, LLC (SJRG) markets wholesale natural gas storage, commodity and transportation in the mid-Atlantic, Appalachian and southern states.

Marina Energy, LLC (Marina) develops and operates on-site energy-related projects.

South Jersey Energy Company (SJE) acquires and markets natural gas and electricity to retail end users and provides total energy management services to commercial and industrial customers.

South Jersey Energy Service Plus, LLC (SJESP) installs residential and small commercial HVAC systems, provides plumbing services and services appliances under warranty via a subcontractor arrangement.

South Jersey Exploration, LLC (SJEX) owns oil, gas and mineral rights in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION — The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SJI, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. We eliminate all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. In management’s opinion, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments needed to fairly present SJI’s financial position,operating results and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented. SJI’s businesses are subject to seasonal fluctuations and, accordingly, this interim financial information should not be the basis for estimating the full year’s operating results. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain certain condensed financial information and exclude certain footnote disclosures normally included in annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with SJI’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of the Company’s accounting policies and certain other information.

REVENUE BASED TAXES — SJI collects certain revenue-based energy taxes from customers. Such taxes include New Jersey State Sales Tax, Transitional Energy Facility Assessment (TEFA) and Public Utilities Assessment (PUA). State sales tax is recorded as a liability when billed to customers and is not included in revenue or operating expenses. TEFA and PUA are included in both utility revenue and cost of sales and totaled $2.5 million and $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT - The Company capitalizes all costs associated with gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities under the full cost method of accounting. Capitalized costs include costs related to unproved properties, which are not amortized until proved reserves are found or it is determined that the unproved properties are impaired. All costs related to unproved properties are reviewed quarterly to determine if impairment has occurred. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company recorded $1.1 million of impairment charges within Other Income and Expense on the condensed consolidated statement of income due to a reduction in the expected cash flows to be received from certain shallow wells in the Marcellus region. No impairment charges were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2011. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, $9.1 million and $9.6 million, respectively, related to interests in proved and unproved properties in Pennsylvania, net of amortization, is included with Nonutility Property and Equipment and Other Noncurrent Assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
TREASURY STOCK – SJI uses the par value method of accounting for treasury stock. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, SJI held 116,232 and 154,718 shares of treasury stock, respectively. These shares are related to deferred compensation arrangements where the amounts earned are held in the stock of SJI.

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Table of Contents



INCOME TAXES — Deferred income taxes are provided for all significant temporary differences between the book and taxable bases of assets and liabilities in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 740 - “Income Taxes”.  A valuation allowance is established when it is determined that it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Investment tax credits related to renewable energy facilities of the non-regulated entities are recognized on the flow through method, which may result in variations in the customary relationship between income taxes and pre-tax income for interim periods.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS — Other than as described below, no new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during 2011 and 2012 had, or is expected to have, a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This ASU amends ASC Topic 820 to include a consistent definition of the term “fair value” and set forth common requirements for measuring fair value and disclosing information about fair value measurements in financial statements. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance modified the disclosures around fair value, but did not have an impact on the Company's financial statement results.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income.  This ASU allows an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income.  ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity.  In January 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for the Presentation of Reclassification Adjustments Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which defers the provisions related to the presentation of reclassification adjustments. The other portions of the ASU remain unchanged and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial statement results.

In January 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, Enhanced Disclosure Requirements Concerning Offsetting of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This ASU amends ASC 210-20 to add disclosure requirements in respect of the offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Management does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on the Company's financial statement results.

2.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN:

Under the Amended and Restated 1997 Stock-Based Compensation Plan, no more than 2,000,000 shares in the aggregate may be issued to SJI’s officers (Officers), non-employee directors (Directors) and other key employees. The plan will terminate on January 26, 2015, unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors. No options were granted or outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.  No stock appreciation rights have been issued under the plan. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, SJI granted 40,709 and 40,470 restricted shares to Officers and other key employees, respectively.   These restricted shares vest over a three-year period and are subject to SJI achieving certain market and earnings-based performance targets as compared to a peer group average, which can cause the actual amount of shares that ultimately vest to range from between 0% to 150% of the original share units granted. Grants containing market-based performance targets have been issued in each of the last three years and use SJI's total shareholder return (TSR) relative to a peer group to measure performance. Beginning with 2012, grants containing earnings-based targets have also been issued. These new grants are based on SJI's earnings per share growth rate relative to a peer group to measure performance. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, SJI granted 9,904 and 10,998 restricted shares to Directors, respectively.  Shares issued to Directors vest over a three-year service period and contain no performance conditions. As a result, 100% of the shares granted generally vest.

See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2011 for the related accounting policy.


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The following table summarizes the nonvested restricted stock awards outstanding at March 31, 2012 and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the awards:

 
Grant Date
 
Shares Outstanding
 
Fair Value Per Share
 
Expected Volatility
 
Risk-Free InterestRate
Officers & Key Employees -
Jan. 2010 - TSR
 
52,404

 
$
39.020

 
29.0
%
 
1.65
%
 
Jan. 2011 - TSR
 
40,227

 
$
50.940

 
27.5
%
 
1.01
%
 
Jan. 2012 - TSR
 
20,266

 
$
51.230

 
22.5
%
 
0.43
%
 
Jan. 2012 - EPS
 
20,266

 
$
56.930

 
N/A

 
N/A

 

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors -
Jan. 2010
 
13,360

 
$
37.825

 

 

 
Jan. 2011
 
8,554

 
$
52.940

 

 

 
Jan. 2012
 
9,904

 
$
56.580

 

 


Expected volatility is based on the actual volatility of SJI’s share price over the preceding three-year period as of the valuation date. The risk-free interest rate is based on the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury Bond, with a term equal to the three-year term of the Officers’ and other key employees’ restricted shares. As notional dividend equivalents are credited to the holders, during the three-year service period, no reduction to the fair value of the award is required. As the Directors’ restricted stock awards contain no performance conditions and dividends are paid or credited to the holder during the three-year service period, the fair value of these awards are equal to the market value of the shares on the date of grant.

The following table summarizes the total stock-based compensation cost for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Officers & Key Employees
$
523

 
$
466

Directors
127

 
130

Total Cost
650

 
596

 
 
 
 
Capitalized
(58
)
 
(55
)
Net Expense
$
592

 
$
541


As of March 31, 2012, there was $4.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation awards granted under the restricted stock plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.

The following table summarizes information regarding restricted stock award activity during the three months ended March 31, 2012, excluding accrued dividend equivalents:

 
Officers &Other Key Employees
 
Directors
 
Weighted
Average
Fair Value
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, January 1, 2012
92,907

 
21,914

 
$
44.112

Granted
40,709

 
9,904

 
$
54.569

Canceled/Forfeited
(453
)
 

 
$
49.430

Nonvested Shares Outstanding, March 31, 2012
133,163

 
31,818

 
$
47.305



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During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, SJI awarded 33,322 shares to its Officers and other key employees, which had vested at December 31, 2011, at a market value of $1.9 million, and 69,271 shares, which had vested at December 31, 2010, at a market value of $3.7 million, respectively. Also, during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, SJI awarded 9,904 and 10,998 shares to its Directors at a market value of $0.6 million for each period. The Company has a policy of issuing new shares to satisfy its obligations under these plans; therefore, there are no cash payment requirements resulting from the normal operation of this plan. However, a change in control could result in such shares becoming nonforfeitable or immediately payable in cash.  At the discretion of the Officers, Directors and other key employees, the receipt of vested shares can be deferred until future periods.  These deferred shares are included in Treasury Stock on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

3.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND AFFILATIONS:

Discontinued Operations consist of the environmental remediation activities related to the properties of South Jersey Fuel, Inc. (SJF) and the product liability litigation and environmental remediation activities related to the prior business of The Morie Company, Inc. (Morie). SJF is a subsidiary of Energy & Minerals, Inc. (EMI), an SJI subsidiary, which previously operated a fuel oil business. Morie is the former sand mining and processing subsidiary of EMI. EMI sold the common stock of Morie in 1996.

SJI conducts tests annually to estimate the environmental remediation costs for these properties.

Summarized operating results of the discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, were (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Loss before Income Taxes:
 
 
 
Sand Mining
$
(196
)
 
$
(194
)
Fuel Oil
(14
)
 
(395
)
Income Tax Benefits
74

 
206

Loss from Discontinued Operations — Net
$
(136
)
 
$
(383
)
Earnings Per Common Share from
 
 
 

Discontinued Operations — Net:
 
 
 

Basic
$
(0.004
)
 
$
(0.013
)
Diluted
$
(0.005
)
 
$
(0.013
)

AFFILIATIONS — The following affiliated entities are accounted for under the equity method:

Marina and a joint venture partner formed the following entities in which Marina has a 50% equity interest:

LVE Energy Partners, LLC (LVE), which has entered into a contract to design, build, own and operate a district energy system and central energy center for a planned resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Energenic – US, LLC (Energenic), which develops and operates on-site, self-contained, energy-related projects.

During the first three months of 2012 and 2011, the Company made investments in, and provided net advances to, unconsolidated affiliates of $22.5 million and $12.5 million, respectively. The purpose of these investments and advances was to develop several landfill gas-fired electric production facilities, solar and thermal energy projects, and to cover certain project related costs of LVE (See Note 11).  As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the outstanding balance on these Notes Receivable – Affiliate was $115.9 million and $114.7 million, respectively. Approximately $62.8 million of these notes are secured by property, plant and equipment of the affiliates, accrue interest at 7.5% and are to be repaid through 2025. The remaining $53.1 million of these notes are unsecured, and are either non-interest bearing or accrue interest at variable rates and are to be repaid when the affiliate secures permanent financing.


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SJI holds significant variable interests in these entities but is not the primary beneficiary. Consequently, these entities are accounted for under the equity method because SJI does not have both a) the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had a net asset of approximately $45.9 million included in Investment in Affiliates and Other Noncurrent Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to equity method investees, in addition to Notes Receivable – Affiliate as discussed above. SJI’s maximum exposure to loss from these entities as of March 31, 2012 is limited to its combined equity contributions and the Notes Receivable-Affiliate in the amount of $164.9 million.

SJI and a joint venture partner formed Potato Creek, LLC (Potato Creek) in which SJI has a 30% equity interest.  Potato Creek owns and manages the oil, gas and mineral rights of certain real estate in Pennsylvania.

4.
COMMON STOCK:

The following shares were issued and outstanding at March 31:

 
2012
Beginning Balance, January 1
30,212,453

New Issues During Period:
 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan
54,230

Stock-Based Compensation Plan
43,226

Ending Balance, March 31
30,309,909


The par value ($1.25 per share) of stock issued was recorded in Common Stock and the net excess over par value of approximately $3.4 million was recorded in Premium on Common Stock.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (EPS) — Basic EPS is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  The incremental shares required for inclusion in the denominator for the diluted EPS calculation were 73,271 and 92,273 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These shares relate to SJI’s restricted stock as discussed in Note 2.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN (DRP) —The Company offers a DRP which allows participating shareholders to purchase shares of SJI common stock by automatic reinvestment of dividends or optional purchases. From April 2008 through April 2011, shares of common stock offered by the DRP have been purchased in open market transactions.  Beginning in May 2011, shares of common stock offered by the DRP have been issued directly by SJI from its authorized but unissued shares of common stock. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, $2.9 million of equity capital was raised through the DRP.

5.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

RESTRICTED INVESTMENTS — In accordance with the terms of the Marina and certain SJG loan agreements, unused proceeds are required to be escrowed pending approval of construction expenditures. As of both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the escrowed proceeds, including interest earned, totaled $1.3 million.

The Company maintains margin accounts with selected counterparties to support its risk management activities. The balances required to be held in these margin accounts increase as the net value of the outstanding energy related contracts with the respective counterparties decrease. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the balances in these accounts totaled $21.9 million and $17.3 million, respectively. The carrying amounts of the Restricted Investments approximate their fair values at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, which would be included in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy (See Note 13 - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities).


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LONG-TERM RECEIVABLES — SJG provides financing to customers for the purpose of attracting conversions to natural gas heating systems from competing fuel sources.  The terms of these loans call for customers to make monthly payments over a period of up to five years with no interest.  The carrying amounts of such loans were $12.4 million and $11.7 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The current portion of these receivables is reflected in Accounts Receivable and the non-current portion is reflected in Contract Receivables on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The carrying amounts noted above are net of unamortized discounts resulting from imputed interest in the amount of $1.4 million and $1.2 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  The annual amortization to interest is not material to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.  The carrying amounts of these receivables approximate their fair value at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, which would be included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy (See Note 13 - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities).

CREDIT RISK - As of March 31, 2012, approximately $16.9 million, or 35.0%, of the current and noncurrent Derivatives – Energy Related Assets are with a single retail counterparty. This counterparty has contracts with a large number of diverse customers which minimizes the concentration of this risk. A portion of these contracts may be assigned to SJI in the event of a default by the counterparty.

FINANCE OBLIGATION - During 2010, ACB Energy Partners LLC (ACB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energenic, of which Marina has a 50% equity interest, completed construction of a combined heat and power generating facility to serve, under an energy services agreement, a thermal plant owned by Marina. Construction period financing was provided by Marina. Due to its continuing involvement in the facility, Marina is considered the owner of the facility for accounting purposes. As a result, the Company included costs to construct the facility within Nonutility Property, Plant and Equipment on the condensed consolidated balance sheets of $23.5 million as of both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. In addition, the Company includes repayments from ACB to Marina on the construction loan within the Finance Obligation on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Marina does not have a fixed payment obligation to ACB; as a result, the Finance Obligation is classified as a noncurrent liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The costs to construct the facility and the repayments of the construction loan are amortized over the term of the energy services agreement. The impact on the condensed consolidated statements of income is not significant. As a result, the Company recorded $22.3 million and $22.5 million, net of amortization, within Finance Obligation on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS NOT CARRIED AT FAIR VALUE - The fair value of a financial instrument is the market price to sell an asset or transfer a liability at the measurement date. The carrying amounts of SJI's financial instruments that are not carried at fair value, including those financial instruments disclosed in this footnote, approximate their fair values at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, except as noted below.
For Long-Term Debt, in estimating the fair value, we use the present value of remaining cash flows at the balance sheet date. We based the estimates on interest rates available to SJI at the end of each period for debt with similar terms and maturities (Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, see Note 13 - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities). The estimated fair values of SJI's long-term debt, including current maturities, as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, were $519.8 million and $533.4 million, respectively.  The carrying amounts of SJI's long-term debt, including current maturities, as of both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, was $426.4 million.

6.
SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS:

SJI operates in several different reportable operating segments which reflect the financial information regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker. Gas Utility Operations (SJG) consists primarily of natural gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Wholesale Energy Operations include SJRG’s and SJEX's activities. SJE is involved in both retail gas and retail electric activities. Retail Gas and Other Operations include natural gas acquisition and transportation service business lines. Retail Electric Operations consist of electricity acquisition and transportation to commercial and industrial customers. On-Site Energy Production consists of Marina’s thermal energy facility and other energy-related projects. Appliance Service Operations includes SJESP’s servicing of appliances under warranty via a subcontractor arrangement as well as on a time and materials basis, and the installation of residential and small commercial HVAC systems.  The Retail Energy Operations caption includes Retail Gas and Other, Retail Electric, On-Site Energy Production and Appliance Service Operations. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.  Intersegment sales and transfers are treated as if the sales or transfers were to third parties at current market prices.


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Information about SJI’s operations in different reportable operating segments is presented below (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012

2011
Operating Revenues:
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
$
179,436

 
$
180,323

Wholesale Energy Operations
17,642

 
48,271

Retail Energy Operations:
 
 
 
Retail Gas and Other Operations
18,192

 
37,242

Retail Electric Operations
50,187

 
59,895

On-Site Energy Production
7,901

 
9,788

Appliance Service Operations
3,282

 
4,434

Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
79,562

 
111,359

Corporate & Services
6,714

 
5,964

Subtotal
283,354

 
345,917

Intersegment Sales
(8,522
)
 
(13,995
)
Total Operating Revenues
$
274,832

 
$
331,922



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Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Operating Income (Loss):
 

 
 

Gas Utility Operations
$
58,855

 
$
58,493

Wholesale Energy Operations
10,672

 
9,657

Retail Energy Operations:
 
 
 
Retail Gas and Other Operations
(152
)
 
773

Retail Electric Operations
4,944

 
3,863

On-Site Energy Production
(338
)
 
1,094

Appliance Service Operations
(441
)
 
(590
)
Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
4,013

 
5,140

Corporate and Services
(32
)
 
(243
)
Total Operating Income
$
73,508

 
$
73,047


 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization:
 

 
 

Gas Utility Operations
$
10,962

 
$
10,303

Wholesale Energy Operations
53

 
66

Retail Energy Operations:
 
 
 
Retail Gas and Other Operations
8

 
7

On-Site Energy Production
2,004

 
990

Appliance Service Operations
84

 
74

Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
2,096

 
1,071

Corporate and Services
164

 
161

Total Depreciation and Amortization
$
13,275

 
$
11,601


 
 
 
Interest Charges:
 

 
 

Gas Utility Operations
$
4,189

 
$
5,029

Wholesale Energy Operations
86

 
13

Retail Energy Operations:
 
 
 
Retail Gas and Other Operations
38

 
60

On-Site Energy Production
1,019

 
1,013

Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
1,057

 
1,073

Corporate and Services
721

 
495

Subtotal
6,053

 
6,610

Intersegment Borrowings
(560
)
 
(629
)
Total Interest Charges
$
5,493

 
$
5,981


 
 
 
Income Taxes:
 

 
 

Gas Utility Operations
$
20,977

 
$
22,046

Wholesale Energy Operations
3,981

 
4,162

Retail Energy Operations:
 
 
 
Retail Gas and Other Operations
184

 
514

Retail Electric Operations
2,020

 
1,578

On-Site Energy Production
(11,174
)
 
(6,793
)
Appliance Service Operations
(163
)
 
999

Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
(9,133
)
 
(3,702
)
Corporate and Services
59

 
4

Total Income Taxes
$
15,884

 
$
22,510



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Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Property Additions:
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
$
40,656

 
$
20,438

Wholesale Energy Operations
4

 
24

Retail Energy Operations:
 
 
 
Retail Gas and Other Operations
53

 
13

On-Site Energy Production
5,297

 
6,707

Appliance Service Operations

 
1

Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
5,350

 
6,721

Corporate and Services
405

 
279

Total Property Additions
$
46,415

 
$
27,462


 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Identifiable Assets:
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
$
1,635,983

 
$
1,615,723

Wholesale Energy Operations
136,072

 
159,424

Retail Energy Operations:
 
 
 
Retail Gas and Other Operations
15,781

 
14,659

Retail Electric Operations
33,951

 
31,225

On-Site Energy Production
255,404

 
275,053

Appliance Service Operations
9,031

 
11,335

Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
314,167

 
332,272

Discontinued Operations
138

 
224

Corporate and Services
185,312

 
156,252

Intersegment Assets
(11,297
)
 
(16,385
)
Total Identifiable Assets
$
2,260,375

 
$
2,247,510


7.
RATES AND REGULATORY ACTIONS:

SJG is subject to the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU). In October 2011, SJG filed a petition with the BPU requesting to modify and extend its Capital Investment Recovery Tracker (CIRT II) program. The petition requested an additional incremental investment of $40.0 million in 2012 and $50.0 million in 2013 (see Note 15 - Subsequent Events).

There have been no other significant regulatory actions or changes to SJG's rate structure since December 31, 2011. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI's Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2011.

8.
REGULATORY ASSETS & REGULATORY LIABILITIES:

There have been no significant changes to the nature of the Company’s regulatory assets and liabilities since December 31, 2011 which are described in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2011.



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Regulatory Assets consisted of the following items (in thousands):

 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31, 2011
Environmental Remediation Costs:
 
 
 
Expended - Net
$
41,303

 
$
45,815

Liability for Future Expenditures
88,370

 
89,984

Deferred Asset Retirement Obligation Costs
25,069

 
25,162

Deferred Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs
88,529

 
88,624

Deferred Gas Costs - Net
9,730

 
22,441

Conservation Incentive Program Receivable
29,626

 
13,580

Societal Benefit Costs Receivable
10,015

 
8,618

Premium for Early Retirement of Debt
497

 
537

Deferred Interest Rate Contracts
6,601

 
8,146

Energy Efficiency Tracker
10,606

 
8,464

Other Regulatory Assets
4,102

 
3,850


 
 
 
Total Regulatory Assets
$
314,448

 
$
315,221


Regulatory Liabilities consisted of the following items (in thousands):

 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31, 2011
Excess Plant Removal Costs
$
46,963

 
$
47,230

Other Regulatory Liabilities
1,859

 
1,081


 
 
 
Total Regulatory Liabilities
$
48,822

 
$
48,311


CONSERVATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM (CIP) RECEIVABLE – The increase in this receivable is primarily the result of unusually warm weather experienced in the region during the first quarter of 2012. The CIP tracking mechanism adjusts earnings when actual usage per customer experienced during the period varies from an established baseline usage per customer. 

DEFERRED GAS COSTS – NET – Over/under collections of gas costs are monitored through SJG’s BGSS clause.  Net undercollected gas costs are classified as a regulatory asset and net overcollected gas costs are classified as a regulatory liability.  Derivative contracts used to hedge natural gas purchases are also included in the BGSS, subject to BPU approval.  The BGSS decreased from a $22.4 million regulatory asset at December 31, 2011 to a $9.7 million regulatory asset at March 31, 2012 primarily due to gas costs recovered from customers exceeding the actual cost of the commodity incurred during the first three months of 2012, as a result of natural gas prices remaining at very low levels.




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9.
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS:

For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, net periodic benefit cost related to the employee and officer pension and other postretirement benefit plans consisted of the following components (in thousands):
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012

2011
Service Cost
$
1,189

 
$
1,013

Interest Cost
2,399

 
2,358

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(2,760
)
 
(2,344
)
Amortizations:
 
 
 

Prior Service Cost
63

 
67

Actuarial Loss
1,755

 
1,303

Net Periodic Benefit Cost
2,646

 
2,397

Early Retirement Incentive Program Costs (ERIP)

 
102

Capitalized Benefit Costs
(980
)
 
(910
)
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense
$
1,666

 
$
1,589


 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012

2011
Service Cost
$
293

 
$
270

Interest Cost
768

 
780

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(558
)
 
(562
)
Amortizations:
 
 
 

Prior Service Credits
(71
)
 
(89
)
Actuarial Loss
380

 
393

Net Periodic Benefit Cost
812

 
792

Capitalized Benefit Costs
(302
)
 
(308
)
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense
$
510

 
$
484


Capitalized benefit costs reflected in the table above relate to SJG’s construction program.

The ERIP costs reflected in the table above relate to an early retirement plan offered during 2011 to one of our business segments.

SJI contributed $25.0 million to the pension plans in January 2012. No contributions were made to the pension plans during the three months ended March 31, 2011. Payments related to the unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) plan are expected to approximate $1.3 million in 2012. SJG also has a regulatory obligation to contribute approximately $3.6 million annually to the other postretirement benefit plans’ trusts, less direct costs incurred.

See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2011, for additional information related to SJI’s pension and other postretirement benefits.



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10.
UNUSED LINES OF CREDIT:
 
Credit facilities and available liquidity as of March 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):

Company

Total Facility

Usage

Available Liquidity

Expiration Date
SJG:

 

 

 

 
Commercial Paper Program/Revolving Credit Facility

$
200,000


$
121,100


$
78,900


May 2015
Uncommitted Bank Lines (B)

10,000




10,000


Various












Total SJG

210,000


121,100


88,900


 












SJI:

 

 

 

 









Revolving Credit Facility

$
300,000


$
213,108


$
86,892


April 2015 (A)
Term Line of Credit

30,000


30,000




November 2013












Total SJI

330,000


243,108


86,892


 












Total
 
$
540,000

 
$
364,208

 
$
175,792

 
 

(A) Includes letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $19.5 million.

(B) SJG reduced the uncommitted bank lines by $10.0 million as of March 31, 2012.
The SJG facilities are restricted as to use and availability specifically to SJG; however, if necessary, the SJI facilities can also be used to support SJG’s liquidity needs. Borrowings under these credit facilities are at market rates. The weighted average interest rate on these borrowings, which changes daily, was 1.06% and 0.98% at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Average borrowings outstanding under these credit facilities, not including letters of credit, during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $351.6 million and $213.9 million, respectively. The maximum amounts outstanding under these credit facilities, not including letters of credit, during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $377.8 million and $258.4 million, respectively.

The SJI and SJG facilities are provided by a syndicate of banks and contain one financial covenant limiting the ratio of indebtedness to total capitalization (as defined in the respective credit agreements) to not more than 0.65 to 1, measured at the end of each fiscal quarter. SJI and SJG were in compliance with this covenant as of March 31, 2012.

During the third quarter of 2011, SJG began a commercial paper program under which SJG may issue short-term, unsecured promissory notes to qualified investors up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding at any time of $200.0 million.  The notes  have fixed maturities which vary by note, but may not exceed 270 days from the date of issue. Proceeds from the notes are used for general corporate purposes.  SJG uses the commercial paper program in tandem with the $200.0 million revolving credit facility and does not expect the principal amount of borrowings outstanding under the commercial paper program and the credit facility at any time to exceed an aggregate of $200.0 million.


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11.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

GUARANTEES — The Company has recorded a liability of $1.9 million which is included in Other Noncurrent Liabilities with a corresponding increase in Investment in Affiliates on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 for the fair value of the following guarantees:

In April 2007, SJI guaranteed certain obligations of LVE Energy Partners, LLC (LVE) an unconsolidated joint venture in which Marina has a 50% equity interest.  LVE entered into a 25-year contract with a resort developer to design, build, own and operate a district energy system and central energy center for a planned resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.  LVE began construction of the facility in 2007 and expected to provide full energy service in 2010 when the resort was originally scheduled to be completed.  LVE suspended construction of the district energy system and central energy center in January 2009 after the resort developer’s August 2008 announcement that it was delaying the completion of construction of the resort due to the difficult environment in the capital markets and weak economic conditions.  The resort developer had indicated that it was considering different strategies to move its project forward, including opening its project in phases and obtaining a partner, but that it was unlikely construction would resume during 2009.  In March 2012, the resort developer, repeating previous disclosures, indicated again that it does not expect to resume construction on the project for three to five years.  The resort developer stated that it remains committed to having a significant presence on the Las Vegas Strip as part of a long-term growth strategy and continues to view this site as a major strategic asset.

The district energy system and central energy center are being financed by LVE with debt that is non-recourse to SJI. The outstanding balance of LVE’s bank debt is approximately $192.7 million as of March 31, 2012.  As a result of the construction delay, the district energy system and central energy center were not completed by the end of 2010 as originally expected. Consequently, the full amount of LVE’s debt became due and payable in December 2010. LVE intends to seek additional financing to complete the facility once construction of the resort resumes, however, as of December 31, 2010, LVE was in default under the financing agreements with the banks.  The Energy Sales Agreement between LVE and the resort developer includes a payment obligation by the resort developer to pay certain fees and expenses to LVE. A portion of this payment obligation is guaranteed to LVE’s lenders by the parent of the resort developer.

In March 2011, LVE reached agreements with (a) the resort developer, that specified the payments to be made by the developer to LVE during the suspension period and provided the developer and its corporate parent with an option to purchase the assets of LVE, and (b) the banks that are financing the energy facilities to address the existing default under the financing agreements. The terms of the March 2011 agreement require the resort developer to pay certain fees and expenses to LVE on a monthly basis beginning in March 2011 until construction of the resort resumes or until the resort developer has exercised its option to purchase the energy facilities from LVE. The monthly payments that are being paid to LVE by the resort developer are expected to be sufficient to reimburse LVE for costs to maintain the energy facilities and to cover debt service costs over time. The resort developer has provided LVE with a $6.0 million letter of credit to support its monthly payment obligation.

The banks that are financing the energy facilities have agreed not to exercise their rights under the financing agreements resulting from the event of default discussed above through December 2013, provided that no additional events of default occur. SJI and its joint venture partner have provided a total of $10.0 million in letters of credit to the banks to support LVE’s obligations, which can be drawn upon by the banks at the end of the existing agreement in December 2013 or upon the occurrence of an event of default by LVE prior to December 2013.

As of March 31, 2012, the Company had a net liability of approximately $1.6 million included in Other Noncurrent Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to this project, in addition to unsecured Notes Receivable – Affiliate of approximately $53.1 million due from LVE. As of March 31, 2012, SJI’s capital at risk is limited to its equity contributions, letters of credit and the unsecured notes receivable totaling approximately $71.3 million. During 2012, SJI provided support to LVE of approximately $0.6 million to cover interest and other project related costs.

As a result of the construction delay, management has evaluated the investment in LVE and concluded that the fair value of this investment continues to be in excess of the carrying value as of March 31, 2012.

SJI has guaranteed certain performance obligations of LVE under the operating agreements between LVE and the resort developer, up to $20.0 million each year for the term of the agreement, commencing with the first year of operations.  SJI and its partner in this joint venture have entered into reimbursement agreements that secure reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI on this guarantee.



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SJI has guaranteed certain obligations of BC Landfill Energy, LLC (BCLE) and WC Landfill Energy, LLC (WCLE), unconsolidated joint ventures in which Marina has a 50% equity interest through Energenic. BCLE and WCLE have entered into agreements ranging from 15-20 years with the respective county governments to lease and operate facilities that will produce electricity from landfill methane gas.  Although unlikely, the maximum amount that SJI could be obligated for, in the event that BCLE and WCLE do not meet minimum specified levels of operating performance and no mitigating action is taken, or are unable to meet certain financial obligations as they become due, is approximately $4.2 million each year.  SJI and its partner in these joint ventures have entered into reimbursement agreements that secure reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI on these guarantees.  SJI holds variable interests in BCLE and WCLE but is not the primary beneficiary.

As of March 31, 2012, SJI had issued $5.2 million of parental guarantees on behalf of an unconsolidated subsidiary. These guarantees generally expire within the next two years and were issued to enable our subsidiary to market retail natural gas.

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION OBLIGATION -  In February 2011, ACR Energy Partners, LLC (ACR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energenic, of which Marina has a 50% equity interest, entered into a 20 year contract with a developer to build, own and operate a central energy center and energy distribution system for a planned hotel, casino and entertainment complex in Atlantic City, New Jersey. ACR is currently providing construction energy to the complex and will provide full energy services when the complex is completed in 2012. Marina and its joint venture partner are obligated to make capital contributions to ACR, through Energenic, that will enable ACR to a) repay $42.0 million of construction advances made by the developer and b) deposit $2.8 million in a debt service reserve fund, provided, in each case, that the developer has met certain conditions. These conditions include, among others, substantial completion of the complex and demonstration of adequate financial resources to operate the complex. Marina and its joint venture partner have also agreed to provide a $5.0 million letter of credit in 2012 to support certain operating performance obligations of ACR under the operating agreements between ACR and the developer, provided the developer has met the conditions just outlined. SJI and its partner in this joint venture have entered into reimbursement agreements that secure reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI to or on behalf of ACR. During the first quarter of 2012, Marina and its joint venture partner each made capital contributions to ACR, through Energenic, of $16.3 million and expect to make the remaining capital contributions in the second quarter of 2012.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS — Unionized personnel represent approximately 48.0% of our workforce at March 31, 2012. The Company has collective bargaining agreements with two unions that represent these employees: the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1293 and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 76.  SJG and SJESP employees represented by the IBEW operate under a collective bargaining agreement that runs through February 2013, with the option to extend until February 2014 at the union’s election. The remaining unionized employees represented by the IAM operate under a collective bargaining agreement that expires in August 2014.

STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT — As of March 31, 2012, SJI provided $19.5 million of standby letters of credit through SJI’s revolving credit facility to enable SJE to market retail electricity and for various construction activities. The Company has also provided $87.5 million of additional letters of credit under separate facilities outside of the revolving credit facility to support variable-rate demand bonds issued through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to finance the expansion of SJG’s natural gas distribution system and to finance Marina's initial thermal plant project.  

PENDING LITIGATION — The Company is subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of business and other legal proceedings. The Company has been named in, among other actions, certain product liability claims related to our former sand mining subsidiary. We accrue liabilities related to these claims when we can reasonably estimate the amount or range of amounts of probable settlement costs or other charges for these claims. The Company has accrued approximately $2.9 million related to all claims in the aggregate, as of both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Management does not believe that it is reasonably possible that there will be a material change in the Company's estimated liability in the near term and does not currently anticipate the disposition of any known claims that would have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS — SJI incurred and recorded costs for environmental cleanup of 12 sites where SJG or its predecessors operated gas manufacturing plants. SJG stopped manufacturing gas in the 1950s. SJI and some of its nonutility subsidiaries also recorded costs for environmental cleanup of sites where SJF previously operated a fuel oil business and Morie maintained equipment, fueling stations and storage. There have been no changes to the status of the Company’s environmental remediation efforts since December 31, 2011 as described in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2011.


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Table of Contents

12.
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS:

Certain SJI subsidiaries are involved in buying, selling, transporting and storing natural gas and buying and selling retail electricity for their own accounts as well as managing these activities for third parties. These subsidiaries are subject to market risk on expected future purchases and sales due to commodity price fluctuations. The Company uses a variety of derivative instruments to limit this exposure to market risk in accordance with strict corporate guidelines.  These derivative instruments include forward contracts, swap agreements, options contracts and futures contracts. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding derivative contracts intended to limit the exposure to market risk on 20.7 MMdts (1 MMdts = one million decatherms) of expected future purchases of natural gas, 20.0 MMdts of expected future sales of natural gas, 0.9 MMmwh (1 MMmwh = one million megawatt hours) of expected future purchases of electricity and 0.6 MMmwh of expected future sales of electricity.  These contracts, which have not been designated as hedging instruments under GAAP, are measured at fair value and recorded in Derivatives — Energy Related Assets or Derivatives — Energy Related Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The net unrealized pre-tax gains and losses for these energy related commodity contracts are included with realized gains and losses in Operating Revenues – Nonutility.

The Company has also entered into interest rate derivatives to hedge exposure to increasing interest rates and the impact of those rates on cash flows of variable-rate debt. Some of these derivatives have been designated as hedging instruments under GAAP. There have been no significant changes to the Company’s active interest rate swaps since December 31, 2011 which are described in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2011.

The fair values of all derivative instruments, as reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, are as follows (in thousands):

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
Energy related commodity contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related – Current
 
$
38,545

 
$
36,712

 
$
37,461

 
$
38,738

Derivatives – Energy Related – Non-Current
 
9,814

 
5,220

 
8,135

 
7,367

Interest rate contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Derivatives - Other
 

 
9,002

 

 
10,684

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
 
48,359

 
50,934

 
45,596

 
56,789

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Derivatives - Other
 

 
3,082

 

 
3,362

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
 

 
3,082

 

 
3,362

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Derivatives
 
$
48,359

 
$
54,016

 
$
45,596

 
$
60,151



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The effect of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
2012
 
2011
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
Gains (losses) recognized in OCI on effective portion
 
$
136

 
$
(180
)
Losses reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (a)
 
$
(186
)
 
$
(360
)
Gains (losses) recognized in income on ineffective portion (a)
 

 


(a) Included in Interest Charges

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under GAAP
 
2012
 
2011
Gains on energy related commodity contracts (a)
 
$
6,971

 
$
4,475

Gains on interest rate contracts (b)
 
136

 
261

 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
7,107

 
$
4,736


(a)  Included in Operating Revenues - Non Utility
(b)  Included in Interest Charges

Net realized losses associated with SJG’s energy-related financial commodity contracts of $5.0 million and $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, are not included in the above table. These contracts are part of SJG’s regulated risk management activities that serve to mitigate BGSS costs passed on to its customers. As these transactions are entered into pursuant to, and recoverable through, regulatory riders, any changes in the value of SJG’s energy related financial commodity contracts are deferred in Regulatory Assets or Liabilities and there is no impact to earnings.

Certain of the Company’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions in the event of a material adverse change in the credit standing of the Company. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a liability position on March 31, 2012, is $15.5 million.   If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements were triggered on March 31, 2012, the Company would have been required to settle the instruments immediately or post collateral to its counterparties of approximately $14.5 million after offsetting asset positions with the same counterparties under master netting arrangements.


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Table of Contents

13.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes fair value measurements based on the types of inputs used for the various valuation techniques.  The levels of the hierarchy are described below:

Level 1:  Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:  Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; these include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

Level 3:  Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

Assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of financial assets and financial liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

For financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, information about the fair value measurements for each major category is as follows (in thousands):

As of March 31, 2012
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale Securities (A)
$
7,262

 
$
700

 
$
6,562

 
$

Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (C)
48,359

 
24,382

 
15,456

 
8,521

 
$
55,621

 
$
25,082

 
$
22,018

 
$
8,521

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (C)
$
41,932

 
$
24,791

 
$
6,662

 
$
10,479

Derivatives – Other (B)
12,084

 

 
12,084

 

 
$
54,016

 
$
24,791

 
$
18,746

 
$
10,479


As of December 31, 2011
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale Securities (A)
$
6,677

 
$
619

 
$
6,058

 
$

Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (C)
45,596

 
24,689

 
16,582

 
4,325

 
$
52,273

 
$
25,308

 
$
22,640

 
$
4,325

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (C)
$
46,105

 
$
22,495

 
$
13,327

 
$
10,283

Derivatives – Other (B)
14,046

 

 
14,046

 

 
$
60,151

 
$
22,495

 
$
27,373

 
$
10,283


(A) Available-for-Sale Securities include securities that are traded in active markets and securities that are not traded publicly.  The securities traded in active markets are valued using the quoted principal market close prices that are provided by the trustees and are categorized in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.  The remaining securities consist of funds that are not publicly traded.  These funds, which consist of stocks and bonds that are traded individually in active markets, are valued using quoted prices for similar assets and are categorized in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

(B) Derivatives – Other are valued using quoted prices on commonly-quoted intervals, which are interpolated for periods different than the quoted intervals, as inputs to a market valuation model. Market inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment.

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(C) Derivatives – Energy Related Assets and Liabilities are traded in both exchange-based and non-exchange-based markets. Exchange-based contracts are valued using unadjusted quoted market sources in active markets and are categorized in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Certain non-exchange-based contracts are valued using indicative price quotations available through brokers or over-the-counter, on-line exchanges and are categorized in Level 2. These price quotations reflect the average of the bid-ask mid-point prices and are obtained from sources that management believes provide the most liquid market. For non-exchange-based derivatives that trade in less liquid markets with limited pricing information, model inputs generally would include both observable and unobservable inputs. In instances where observable data is unavailable, management considers the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. This includes assumptions about market risks such as liquidity, volatility and contract duration. Such instruments are categorized in Level 3 as the model inputs generally are not observable.

Significant Unobservable Inputs - Management uses the discounted cash flow model to value Level 3 physical and financial forwards, which calculates mark-to-market valuations based on forward market prices, original transaction prices, volumes, risk-free rate of return and credit spreads. Inputs to the valuation model are reviewed and revised as needed, based on historical information, updated market data, market liquidity and relationships, and changes in third party pricing sources. The validity of the mark-to-market valuations and changes in mark-to-market valuations from period to period are examined and qualified against historical expectations by the risk management function. If any discrepancies are identified during this process, the mark-to-market valuations or the market pricing information is evaluated further and adjusted, if necessary.

Level 3 valuation methods for natural gas derivative contracts include utilizing another location in close proximity adjusted for certain pipeline charges to derive a basis value. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of certain natural gas contracts are forward prices developed based on industry standard methodologies. Significant increases (decreases) in these forward prices for purchases of natural gas would result in a directionally similar impact to the fair value measurement and for sales of natural gas would result in a directionally opposite impact to the fair value measurement. Level 3 valuation methods for electric represent the value of the contract marked to the forward wholesale curve, as provided by daily exchange quotes for delivered electricity. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of electric contracts are fixed contracted electric load profiles; therefore no change in unobservable inputs would occur. Unobservable inputs are updated daily using industry standard techniques. Management reviews and corroborates the price quotations to ensure the prices are observable which includes consideration of actual transaction volumes, market delivery points, bid-ask spreads and contract duration.

The following table provides quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs in Level 3 fair value measurements (in thousands):

Type
Fair Value at March 31, 2012
Valuation Technique
Significant Unobservable Input
Range
 
Assets
Liabilities
 
 
 
Forward Contract - Natural Gas

2,102
2,065
Discounted Cash Flow
Forward price (per dt)

$(0.55) - $0.10
Forward Contract - Electric


6,419
8,414
Discounted Cash Flow
Fixed electric load profile (on-peak)
25.3% - 100.0%
Fixed electric load profile (off-peak)
0.0% - 74.7%

Transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy may occur based on the level of observable inputs used to value the instruments from period to period.  During the three months ended March 31, 2012, there were no transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy, including no transfers in or out of Level 3.


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The changes in fair value measurements of Derivatives – Energy Related Assets and Liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2012, using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), are as follows (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2012
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011
Balance at January 1
$
(5,958
)
 
$
(3,163
)
Total gains and (losses) realized/unrealized included in earnings
169

 
(2,151
)
Settlements
3,831

 
4,698

 
 
 
 
Balance at March 31
$
(1,958
)
 
$
(616
)

Total gains for 2012 included in earnings that are attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to those assets and liabilities still held as of March 31, 2012, is $0.2 million.  These losses are included in Operating Revenues-Nonutility on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

14.
LONG-TERM DEBT:

In 2011, SJG entered into an arrangement to issue Medium Term Notes (MTNs) under a private placement in an aggregate principal amount of $35.0 million. SJG expects to issue this debt in April 2012. In February 2012, SJG called its $35.0 million, 7.7% MTN's due April 2027 at par plus a 2.0% premium. The early redemption will occur concurrently with the issuance of the MTNs in April 2012 (See Note 15 - Subsequent Events).

15.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

In April 2012, SJG issued $35.0 million, 3.74% Series D Medium Term Notes due April 2032, which occurred concurrently with the early redemption of MTN's (See Note 14 - Long-Term Debt).

In April 2012, Energenic, a joint venture of which Marina has a 50% equity interest, acquired The Energy Network, LLC, a holding company for the Hartford Steam Company, TEN Companies and CNE Power I, LLC, for approximately $50.5 million. In conjunction with the acquisition, Marina made a capital contribution to Energenic of $7.6 million and provided $35.4 million of advances which are expected to be repaid by Energenic in May 2012 when permanent financing is obtained.

In March 2012, SJG and the BPU executed a stipulation agreeing to the acceleration of an incremental $35.0 million in capital spending through December 2012 under the CIRT II program. The BPU approved this petition in May 2012.




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Table of Contents

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

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors — Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report may qualify as “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Report should be considered forward-looking statements made in good faith and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “goal”, “intend”, “objective”, “plan”, “project”, “seek”, “strategy” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic conditions on an international, national, state and local level; weather conditions in our marketing areas; changes in commodity costs; changes in the availability of natural gas; “non-routine” or “extraordinary” disruptions in our distribution system; regulatory, legislative and court decisions; competition; the availability and cost of capital; costs and effects of legal proceedings and environmental liabilities; the failure of customers, suppliers or business partners to fulfill their contractual obligations; and changes in business strategies.

A discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties may be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and in other filings made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These cautionary statements should not be construed by you to be exhaustive and they are made only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or in any document incorporated by reference, at the date of such document. While South Jersey Industries, Inc. (SJI or the Company) believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the expectations derived from them will be realized. Further, SJI undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Critical Accounting Policies — Estimates and Assumptions — Management must make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Five types of transactions presented in our condensed consolidated financial statements require a significant amount of judgment and estimation. These relate to regulatory accounting, derivatives, environmental remediation costs, pension and other postretirement employee benefit costs, and revenue recognition. A discussion of these estimates and assumptions may be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

New Accounting Pronouncements — See detailed discussions concerning New Accounting Pronouncements and their impact on SJI in Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Regulatory Actions —Other than the changes discussed in Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, there have been no significant regulatory actions since December 31, 2011. See detailed discussion concerning Regulatory Actions in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2011.

Environmental Remediation —There have been no significant changes to the status of the Company’s environmental remediation efforts since December 31, 2011. See detailed discussion concerning Environmental Remediation in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2011.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

SJI operates in several different reportable operating segments. Gas Utility Operations (SJG) consists primarily of natural gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Wholesale Energy Operations include the activities of South Jersey Resources Group, LLC (SJRG) and South Jersey Exploration, LLC (SJEX). South Jersey Energy Company (SJE) is involved in both retail gas and retail electric activities. Retail Gas and Other Operations include natural gas acquisition and transportation service business lines. Retail Electric Operations consist of electricity acquisition and transportation to commercial and industrial customers. On-Site Energy Production consists of Marina Energy, LLC ("Marina's") thermal energy facility and other energy-related projects. Appliance Service Operations includes South Jersey Energy Service Plus, LLC (SJESP’s) servicing of appliances under warranty via a subcontractor arrangement as well as on a time and materials basis, and the installation of residential and small commercial HVAC systems.  The Retail Energy Operations caption includes Retail Gas and Other, Retail Electric, On-Site Energy Production and Appliance Service Operations.


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Table of Contents

Net Income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased $2.6 million to $54.1 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011 primarily as a result of the following:

The income contribution from SJG for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased $2.7 million to $35.0 million due to an increase in CIRT-related earnings along with an increase in residential customers at SJG.
 
The income contribution from Marina for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased $1.3 million to net income of $10.3 million due primarily to the timing of the investment tax credit available on renewable energy facilities as compared to the prior year.

The income contribution from SJESP for the three months ended March 31, 2012 decreased $1.7 million to a net loss of $0.2 million due primarily to proceeds received in the first quarter of 2011 from a provider of homeowner assistance services in accordance with an agreement with the Company that gives them the exclusive right to renew the home appliance repair contracts at SJESP.

A significant portion of the volatility in operating results is due to the impact of the accounting methods associated with SJI’s derivative activities. The Company uses derivatives to limit its exposure to market risk on transactions to buy, sell, transport and store natural gas and to buy and sell retail electricity. The Company also uses derivatives to limit its exposure to increasing interest rates on variable-rate debt.
 
The types of transactions that cause the most significant volatility in operating results are as follows:

SJRG purchases and holds natural gas in storage to earn a profit margin from its ultimate sale in the future. SJRG uses derivatives to mitigate commodity price risk in order to substantially lock-in the profit margin that will ultimately be realized. However, gas stored in inventory is accounted for at the lower of average cost or market; the derivatives used to reduce the risk associated with a change in the value of the inventory are accounted for at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in operating results in the period of change. As a result, earnings are subject to volatility as the market price of derivatives change, even when the underlying hedged value of the inventory is unchanged. Additionally, volatility in earnings is created when realized gains and losses on derivatives used to mitigate commodity price risk on expected future purchases of gas in storage are recognized in earnings when the derivatives settle, but the cost of the related gas in storage is not recognized in earnings until the period of withdrawal. This volatility can be significant from period to period. Over time, gains or losses on sale of gas in storage will be offset by losses or gains on the derivatives, resulting in the realization of the profit margin expected when the transactions were initiated.

SJE uses forward contracts to mitigate commodity price risk on fixed price electric contracts with customers. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), the forward contracts are recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings in the period of change. Several related customer contracts are not considered derivatives and therefore are not recorded in earnings until the electricity is delivered. As a result, earnings are subject to volatility as the market price of the forward contracts change, even when the underlying hedged value of the customer contract is unchanged. Over time, gains or losses on the sale of the fixed price electric under contract will be offset by losses or gains on the forward contracts, resulting in the realization of the profit margin expected when the transactions were initiated.

As a result, management also uses the non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) financial measures of Economic Earnings, Economic Earnings per share, Non-Utility Economic Earnings, Wholesale Energy Economic Earnings and Retail Energy Economic Earnings when evaluating the results of operations for its nonutility operations. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures, such as net income, operating income, earnings per share from continuing operations or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.

We define Economic Earnings as: Income from continuing operations, (1) less the change in unrealized gains and plus the change in unrealized losses, as applicable and in each case after tax, on all commodity derivative transactions and the ineffective portion of interest rate derivative transactions that we are marking to market, and (2) less realized gains and plus realized losses, as applicable and in each case after tax, on all commodity derivative transactions attributed to expected purchases of gas in storage to match the recognition of these gains and losses with the recognition of the related cost of the gas in storage in the period of withdrawal.


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Table of Contents

Economic Earnings is a significant performance metric used by our management to indicate the amount and timing of income from continuing operations that we expect to earn after taking into account the impact of derivative instruments on the related transactions. Specifically, we believe that this financial measure indicates to investors the profitability of the entire derivative related transaction and not just the portion that is subject to mark-to-market valuation under GAAP. Considering only the change in market value on the derivative side of the transaction can produce a false sense as to the ultimate profitability of the total transaction as no change in value is reflected for the non-derivative portion of the transaction.

Economic Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased $1.2 million to $50.0 million compared with the same period in 2011, primarily as a result of the following:

The income contribution from SJG for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased $2.7 million to $35.0 million due to an increase in CIRT-related earnings along with an increase in residential customers at SJG.

The income contribution from Marina for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased $1.7 million to $10.3 million due primarily to the timing of the investment tax credit available on renewable energy facilities as compared to the prior year.

The income contribution from SJESP for the three months ended March 31, 2012 decreased $1.7 million to a net loss of $0.2 million due primarily to proceeds received in the first quarter of 2011 from a provider of homeowner assistance services in accordance with an agreement with the Company that gives them the exclusive right to renew the home appliance repair contracts at SJESP.


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Table of Contents

The following table presents a reconciliation of our income from continuing operations and earnings per share from continuing operations to Economic Earnings and Economic Earnings per share for the three months ended March 31 (in thousands except per share data):

 
Three months ended
 March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Income from Continuing Operations
$
54,211

 
$
51,831

 
Minus/Plus:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Mark-to-Market Gains on Derivatives
(4,198
)
 
(3,117
)
 
Realized Losses on Inventory Injection Hedges
24

 
172

 
Economic Earnings
$
50,037

 
$
48,886

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations
$
1.79

 
$
1.73

 
Minus/Plus:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Mark-to-Market Gains on Derivatives
(0.14
)
 
(0.10
)
 
Realized Losses on Inventory Injection Hedges
0.00

 
0.00

 
Economic Earnings per Share
$
1.65

 
$
1.63

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Utility Income from Continuing Operations
$
19,173

 
$
19,535

 
Minus/Plus:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Mark-to-Market Gains on Derivatives
(4,198
)
 
(3,117
)
 
Realized Losses on Inventory Injection Hedges
24

 
172

 
Non-Utility Economic Earnings
$
14,999

 
$
16,590

 
 
 
 
 
 
Wholesale Energy Income from Continuing Operations
$
5,797

 
$
6,027

 
Minus/Plus:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Mark-to-Market (Gains) on Derivatives
(1,881
)
 
(828
)
 
Realized Losses on Inventory Injection Hedges
24

 
172

 
Wholesale Energy Economic Earnings
$
3,940

 
$
5,371

 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail Energy Income from Continuing Operations
$
13,376

 
$
13,508

 
Minus/Plus:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Mark-to-Market (Gains) on Derivatives
(2,317
)
 
(2,289
)
 
Retail Energy Economic Earnings
$
11,059

 
$
11,219

 

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Table of Contents

The effect of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP in the condensed consolidated statements of income (see Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements) is as follows (gains (losses) in thousands):

 
Three months ended
 March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
                Gains (losses) on energy related commodity contracts
$
6,971

 
$
4,475

 
                Gains (losses) on interest rate contracts
136

 
261

 
                         Total before income taxes
7,107

 
4,736

 
                         Income taxes (A)
(2,914
)
 
(1,942
)
 
                     Total after income taxes
4,193

 
2,794

 
  Unrealized mark-to-market gains (losses) on derivatives
   held by affiliated companies, net of tax (A)
5

 
323

 
   Total unrealized mark-to-market gains (losses) on derivatives
4,198

 
3,117

 
   Realized gains (losses) on inventory injection hedges, net of tax (A)
(24
)
 
(172
)
 
   Total reconciling items between income from continuing
   operations and economic earnings
$
4,174

 
$
2,945

 

(A) Determined using a combined statutory tax rate of 41%

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Table of Contents




The following tables summarize the composition of selected SJG data for the three months ended March 31 (in thousands, except for degree day data):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Utility Throughput – dt:
 
 
 
Firm Sales -
 
 
 
Residential
8,595

 
11,241

Commercial
1,979

 
2,795

Industrial
126

 
155

Cogeneration & Electric Generation
76

 
120

Firm Transportation -
 
 
 
Residential
966

 
1,253

Commercial
2,245

 
2,759

Industrial
3,430

 
3,445

Cogeneration & Electric Generation
2,162

 
2,401

 
 
 
 
Total Firm Throughput
19,579

 
24,169

 
 
 
 
Interruptible Sales

 
3

Interruptible Transportation
424

 
692

Off-System
4,471

 
1,904

Capacity Release
16,967

 
10,155

 
 
 
 
Total Throughput - Utility
41,441

 
36,923



 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Utility Operating Revenues:
 
 
 
Firm Sales -
 
 
 
Residential
$
113,629

 
$
114,852

Commercial
22,062

 
26,800

Industrial
1,253

 
1,720

Cogeneration & Electric Generation
403

 
809

Firm Transportation -
 
 
 
Residential
5,923

 
6,550

Commercial
9,113

 
9,705

Industrial
5,420

 
4,395

Cogeneration & Electric Generation
2,001

 
1,742


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Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
Total Firm Revenues
159,804

 
166,573

 
 
 
 
Interruptible Sales
8

 
54

Interruptible Transportation
478

 
634

Off-System
15,829

 
10,134

Capacity Release
3,059

 
2,671

Other
258

 
257

 
179,436

 
180,323

Less: Intercompany Sales
(234
)
 
(5,934
)
Total Utility Operating Revenues
179,202

 
174,389

Less:
 
 
 

Cost of Sales
86,265

 
82,640

Conservation Recoveries*
3,302

 
3,255

RAC Recoveries*
1,912

 
1,591

EET Recoveries*
712

 
509

Revenue Taxes
2,491

 
3,873

Utility Margin
$
84,520

 
$
82,521

 
 
 
 
Margin:
 

 
 

Residential
$
46,893

 
$
58,799

Commercial and Industrial
17,588

 
21,327

Cogeneration and Electric Generation
964

 
775

Interruptible
31

 
48

Off-system & Capacity Release
900

 
695

Other Revenues
257

 
256

Margin Before Weather Normalization & Decoupling
66,633

 
81,900

CIRT Mechanism
767

 
566

CIP Mechanism
17,021

 
(26
)
EET Mechanism
99

 
81

Utility Margin
$
84,520

 
$
82,521

 
 
 
 
Degree Days:
1,930

 
2,495


*Represents expenses for which there is a corresponding credit in operating revenues.  Therefore, such recoveries have no impact on our financial results.

Throughput - Utility - Total gas throughput increased 4.5 MMdts, or 12.2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared with the same period in 2011.  This increase was realized primarily in the Capacity Release and Off-System Sales (OSS) markets.   Capacity Release and OSS increased 6.8 MMdts and 2.6 MMdts, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2012, as compared with the same period in 2011. Due to unusually warm weather experienced in the region during the first quarter of 2012, SJG experienced a lower demand by its firm customers, thereby creating greater opportunity for both Capacity Release and OSS sales. Firm throughput decreased 4.6 MMdts, or 19.0%, during the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to the same period in 2011.  This was primarily the result of weather that was 22.7% warmer for the three months ended March 31, 2012, as compared with the same period last year, partially offset by customer growth.  The Company added 4,660 customers over the twelve month period ended March 31, 2012, which represents a growth rate of 1.3%.

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Conservation Incentive Program (CIP) - Utility - The effects of the CIP on SJG’s net income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 and the associated weather comparisons were as follows ($’s in millions):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Net Income Benefit:
 
 
 
CIP – Weather Related
$
6.5

 
$
(0.6
)
CIP – Usage Related
3.6

 
0.6

Total Net Income Benefit
$
10.1

 
$

 
 
 
 
Weather Compared to 20-Year Average
21.4% warmer

 
1.6% colder

Weather Compared to Prior Year
22.7% warmer

 
2.6% colder


Operating Revenues  - Utility - Revenues increased $4.8 million, or 2.8%, during the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared with the same period in the prior year after eliminating intercompany transactions.  Firm sales revenue decreased $6.8 million, or 4.1%, during the first quarter of 2012 versus the same period in 2011, as the result of lower firm throughput, as reflected in the Throughput table above. This was the result of weather that was 22.7% warmer than last year and among the warmest winter seasons on record. While the impact of the warmer weather can readily be seen in the throughput table above, the impact on firm revenue is not as evident in the revenue table above. As SJG provided firm customers with a $21.1 million refund in March 2011 due to lower gas costs, revenues during the first quarter of 2011 were also lower than normal.

OSS revenue and capacity release revenue increased $5.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, during the first quarter of 2012 versus the same period in 2011, as both sales and capacity release volume increased. As previously stated under "Throughput-Utility," this was made possible by the extremely warm weather in the region which freed up supplies for such sales. As reflected in the Margin table above, the impact of the higher OSS and capacity release activity did not have a material impact on the earnings of the Company, as SJG is required to share 85% of the profits of such activity with the ratepayers.

While changes in gas costs and Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) recoveries may fluctuate from period to period, SJG does not profit from the sale of the commodity.  Therefore, corresponding fluctuations in Operating Revenue or Cost of Sales have no impact on Company profitability, as further discussed under “Margin-Utility.”

Operating Revenues — Nonutility -  Combined revenues for SJI’s nonutility businesses, net of intercompany transactions, decreased by $61.9 million, or 39.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011.
SJE’s revenues from retail gas operations, net of intercompany transactions, decreased by $18.8 million, or $50.9%, for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared with the same period in 2011. Excluding the change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts of $(0.2) million, revenues decreased $19.0 million. The decrease was mainly due to a 33.4% decrease in the average monthly New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) settle price and a 27.9% decrease in sales volumes for the comparative three-month period.  The decrease in sales volumes was mainly due to SJE's exit from the residential market in October 2011 and the significantly warmer weather experienced during the first quarter of 2012 as compared with the same period in 2011.

As of March 31, SJE was serving the following number of retail gas customers:

 
2012
 
2011
Residential
-

 
6,598

Commercial & Large Volume
1,647

 
915



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Sales volumes for the comparative periods were as follows (in dekatherms):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Residential

 
286,768

Commercial & Large Volume
4,282,402

 
5,655,167


Market conditions continue to make it difficult to be competitive in the small commercial market. We continue to focus our marketing efforts on the pursuit of non-heat-sensitive commercial customers in an effort to mitigate price volatility and weather risk.

SJE’s revenues from retail electric operations, net of intercompany transactions, decreased $9.5 million, or 16.2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared with the same period in 2011. Excluding the impact of the net change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts due to price volatility of $(0.4) million, revenues decreased $9.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared with the same period in 2011.

A summary of SJE’s revenues from retail electricity is as follows (in millions):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Change
SJE Retail Electric Revenue
$
48.8

 
$
58.3

 
$
(9.5
)
Add: Unrealized Losses (Subtract: Unrealized Gains)
(3.7
)
 
(3.3
)
 
(0.4
)
SJE Retail Electric Revenue, Excluding Unrealized Losses (Gains)
$
45.1

 
$
55.0

 
$
(9.9
)

The three month comparative period decrease was mainly due to a 40.8% decrease in the average monthly Locational Marginal Price (LMP) per megawatt hour. This was partially offset by a 27.4% increase in volumes.  SJE uses forward financial contracts to mitigate commodity price risk on fixed price electric contracts. In accordance with GAAP, the forward financial contracts are recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings in the period of change. The related customer contracts are not considered derivatives and therefore are not recorded in earnings until the electricity is delivered. As a result, earnings are subject to volatility as the market price of the forward financial contracts change, even when the underlying hedged value of the customer contract is unchanged. Over time, gains or losses on the sale of the fixed price electric under contract will be offset by losses or gains on the forward financial contracts, resulting in the realization of the profit margin expected when the transactions were initiated. SJE serves both fixed and market-priced customers.

SJRG’s revenues from wholesale energy operations, net of intercompany transactions, decreased $30.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared with the same period in 2011. Excluding the impact of the net change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts of $(1.8) million due to price volatility and adjusting for the change in realized gains and losses on all hedges attributed to inventory transactions of $(0.2) million, to align them with the related cost of inventory in the period of withdrawal, SJRG’s revenues decreased $32.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, respectively, compared with the same period in 2011.


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A summary of SJRG’s revenue for the three months ended March 31 is as follows (in millions):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Change
SJRG Revenue
$
17.4

 
$
48.2

 
$
(30.8
)
Add: Unrealized Losses (Subtract: Unrealized Gains)
(3.2
)
 
(1.4
)
 
(1.8
)
Add:  Realized Losses (Subtract: Realized Gains) on Inventory Injection Hedges
-

 
0.2

 
(0.2
)
SJRG Revenue, Excluding Unrealized Losses (Gains) and  Realized Losses (Gains) on Inventory Injection Hedges
$
14.2

 
$
47.0

 
$
(32.8
)

The decrease in revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011 was due mainly to an 85.8% decrease in storage volumes sold and a 33.4% decrease in the average monthly NYMEX settle price for the comparative quarter. As discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2011, revenues and expenses related to the energy trading activities of SJRG are presented on a net basis in Operating Revenues – Nonutility.

Revenues from on-site energy production at Marina decreased $1.9 million, or 19.3%, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011. The decrease reflects lower sales rates for chilled and hot water production at the thermal facility that was attributable to lower underlying commodity rates and the termination of a contract with a large customer in August 2011.

Revenues from appliance service operations at SJESP decreased $1.2 million, or 26.0%, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same periods in 2011 due mainly to a decrease in customer warranty contract sales. SJESP sold the rights to renew the home appliance repair contracts to a provider of homeowner assistance services under an exclusive agreement that took effect in the third quarter of 2011. Under the terms of this agreement, SJESP received a fee for the sale of the rights. SJESP also receives a commission for all new and renewed service contracts and is paid a fee to service those warranty contracts.

Margin – Utility — SJG’s margin is defined as natural gas revenues less natural gas costs, regulatory rider expenses and related volumetric and revenue based energy taxes. SJG believes that margin provides a more meaningful basis for evaluating utility operations than revenues since natural gas costs, regulatory rider expenses and related energy taxes are passed through to customers, and therefore, they have no effect on margin. Natural gas costs are charged to operating expenses on the basis of therm sales at the prices approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) through SJG’s BGSS clause.

Total margin increased $2.0 million, or 2.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared with the same period in 2011, primarily due to customer additions and OSS and capacity release.  SJG added 4,660 customers over the 12-month period ended March 31, 2012, representing growth of 1.3% over the prior year and a corresponding increase in margin. As discussed under the caption "Operating Revenues-Utility" above, OSS and capacity release benefited from the warm weather.

Under SJG's CIP, the Company was protected from the impact of the unusually warm first quarter, the impact from which can be seen on the Margin table above, primarily in the residential and commercial markets. The CIP protected $17.0 million of pre-tax margin in the first three months of 2012 that would have been lost due to lower customer usage primarily as a result of weather that was 22.7% warmer than last year and 21.4% warmer than normal. The CIP provided no net benefit during the first quarter of 2011, as weather was close to normal during that period.

Gross Margin — Nonutility —  Gross margin for the nonutility businesses is defined as revenue less all costs that are directly related to the production, selling and delivery of the Company’s products and services. These costs primarily include natural gas and electric commodity costs as well as certain payroll and related benefits. On the statements of condensed consolidated income, revenue is reflected in Operating Revenues - Nonutility and the costs are reflected in Cost of Sales - Nonutility. As discussed in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2011, revenues and expenses related to the energy trading activities of SJRG are presented on a net basis in Operating Revenues - Nonutility.


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For the three months ended March 31, 2012, combined gross margins for the nonutility businesses, net of intercompany transactions, increased $1.1 million to $25.0 million compared with the same period in 2011. This increase is primarily due to the following:

Gross margin from the wholesale energy operations of SJRG increased $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011. Excluding the impact of the net change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts of $(1.8) million due to price volatility and adjusting for the change in realized gains and losses on all hedges attributed to inventory transactions of $(0.2) million to align them with the related cost of inventory in the period of withdrawal as discussed above, gross margin for SJRG decreased $0.6 million for the three month period. The decrease in gross margin was mainly due to lower daily trading and swing supply margins and higher transportation costs experienced in 2012, which was partially offset by higher margins on storage attributable to the higher unit costs of stored volumes withdrawn in 2011.

Overall, SJRG's contribution to margin from storage and transportation agreements has decreased due to market conditions and, as a result, SJRG has shed some of these agreements. However, SJRG expects to continue to add incremental margin from marketing and related opportunities in the Marcellus region, capitalizing on its established presence in the area. Future margins could fluctuate significantly due to the volatile nature of wholesale gas prices. As of March 31, 2012, SJRG had 8.6 Bcf of storage and 194,025 dts/day of transportation under contract. 

Gross Margin from on-site energy production at Marina was essentially unchanged for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011. Gross margin as a percentage of Operating Revenues increased 12.0 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011 due mainly to the impact of several solar projects coming on line and the termination of a customer contract in 2011. Solar projects typically have lower production costs versus those of the terminated customer which were significantly higher.

Gross margin from SJE’s retail gas and other operations decreased $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011. After excluding the change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts of $(0.2) million, gross margins decreased $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011. Excluding the impact of the net change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts as discussed above, gross margin as a percentage of Operating Revenues decreased 0.7 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011. This decrease was due mainly to the impact of SJE exiting the residential market (See Operating Revenues - Nonutility).

Gross margin from SJE’s retail electric operations increased $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011. Excluding the impact of the net change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts of $(0.4) as discussed above, gross margin increased $0.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011.  Excluding the impact of the unrealized gains/losses, gross margin as a percentage of Operating Revenues increased 2.3 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011. The increase is mainly due to lower capacity, transmission and network services costs and the addition of numerous higher-margin customers over the past twelve months.

Gross margin from appliance service operations at SJESP decreased $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011 due mainly to the lower customer warranty contract sales as mentioned in Operating Revenues – Nonutility.  Gross margin as a percentage of Operating Revenues decreased 11.4 percentage points in 2012 due to the significant decline in high-margin warranty contracts and residential installation jobs.


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Operations Expense — A summary of net changes in operations expense, for the three months ended March 31, follows (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
2012 vs. 2011
Gas Utility Operations
$
2,291

Nonutility:
 
Wholesale Energy Operations
416

Retail Gas and Other Operations
178

Retail Electric Operations
114

On-Site Energy Production
233

Appliance Service Operations
(971
)
Total Nonutility
(30
)
Intercompany Eliminations and Other
(173
)
Total Operations Expense
$
2,088


Gas Utility operations expense increased $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared with the same period in 2011.  This is due primarily to increases in expense related to changes in SJG's reserve for uncollectible customer accounts as a result of fluctuations in levels of customer account receivable balances from period to period. Also contributing was increased spending under the New Jersey Clean Energy Program and Energy Efficiency Programs. Such costs are recovered on a dollar-for-dollar basis; therefore, SJG experienced an offsetting increase in revenues during the period.

Other changes in operations expense during 2012 were not significant.

Maintenance - Changes in maintenance expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared with the same period in 2011, were not significant.

Depreciation - Depreciation increased $1.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011 due mainly to the increased investment in property, plant and equipment by SJG and Marina.

Energy and Other Taxes - Energy and Other Taxes decreased $1.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011 primarily due to lower taxable firm throughput at SJG in 2012.  This resulted from significantly warmer weather during the first quarter of 2012.  Additional weather information can be found above under the caption “CIP.”

Other Income and Expense - Other income and expense decreased $4.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared with the same period in 2011, primarily due to a) proceeds received during the first quarter 2011 from a provider of homeowner assistance services, in accordance with an agreement with the Company, that gives them the exclusive right to renew the home appliance repair contracts at SJESP; b) a decrease in interest income charged on notes receivable from affiliates; and c) a $1.1 million impairment charge taken during the first quarter of 2012 at SJEX. The impairment charge is related to lower than forecasted natural gas reserves at our shallow well investment in the Marcellus region.

Interest Charges – Interest charges decreased $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the same period in 2011, primarily due to SJG's repayment of long-term debt in 2011.

Income Taxes  Income tax expense decreased by $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, as compared with the same period in 2011. This decrease is primarily the result of a lower effective tax rate along with a decrease in income before income taxes during the first quarter of 2012. The change in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the projected increase in the investment tax credits available on renewable energy facilities at Marina in 2012, as compared to 2011.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies Equity in earnings of affiliated companies decreased by $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011. This decrease is primarily due to the adverse impact of significantly lower electric rates on sales and the higher maintenance costs experienced across our fleet of renewable energy projects at affiliated companies.


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Table of Contents

Discontinued Operations — The results are primarily comprised of environmental remediation and product liability litigation associated with previously disposed of businesses.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:

Liquidity needs are driven by factors that include natural gas commodity prices; the impact of weather on customer bills; lags in fully collecting gas costs from customers under the BGSS charge; working capital needs of our energy trading and marketing activities; the timing of construction and remediation expenditures and related permanent financings; the timing of equity contributions to unconsolidated affiliates; mandated tax payment dates; both discretionary and required repayments of long-term debt; and the amounts and timing of dividend payments.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities — Liquidity needs are first met with net cash provided by operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $42.2 million and $126.0 million in the first three months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities varies from year-to-year primarily due to the impact of weather on customer demand and related gas purchases, customer usage factors related to conservation efforts and the price of the natural gas commodity, inventory utilization, and gas cost recoveries.  Operating activities in the first three months of 2012 produced less net cash than the same period in 2011, primarily due to the $18.7 million BGSS bill credit posted to utility customer accounts in December 2011; lower withdrawals of natural gas from storage by our wholesale energy business as a result of the flat market conditions compounded by warmer-than-normal weather which negatively impacted working capital needs; and a $25.0 million pension contribution that occurred in January 2012. There were no pension contributions made by the Company in 2011.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities — SJI has a continuing need for cash resources and capital, primarily to invest in new and replacement facilities and equipment. Net cash outflows for capital expenditures, which are primarily construction projects, for the first three months of 2012 and 2011 amounted to $45.4 million and $32.1 million, respectively. We estimate the net cash outflows for SJI for construction projects for fiscal years 2012, 2013 and 2014 at SJI to be approximately $197.0 million, $122.6 million and $122.2 million, respectively. The increase in the capital expenditures is a direct result of SJG's CIRT program, which began in 2009.  For capital expenditures, including those under SJG’s CIRT, the Company will use short-term borrowings under lines of credit from commercial banks and the commercial paper program to finance capital expenditures as incurred. From time to time, the Company will refinance the short-term debt incurred to support capital expenditures with long-term debt.

In support of its risk management activities, the Company is required to maintain margin accounts with selected counterparties as collateral for its forward contracts, swap agreements, options contracts and futures contracts. These margin accounts are included in Restricted Investments or Margin Account Liability, depending upon the value of the related contracts (the change in the Margin Account Liability is reflected in cash flows from Operating Activities) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The required amount of restricted investments changes on a daily basis due to fluctuations in the market value of the related outstanding contracts and are difficult to predict. Margin posted by the Company increased by $4.5 million in the first three months of 2012, compared with a decrease of $1.7 million in the same period of 2011.

During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company made investments in, and provided net advances to unconsolidated affiliates of $22.5 million and $12.5 million, respectively. The purpose of these investments and advances was to develop several landfill gas-fired electric production facilities, solar and thermal energy projects, and to cover certain project-related costs of LVE (See Commitments and Contingencies in Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).

Cash Flows from Financing Activities — Short-term borrowings from the commercial paper program and lines of credit from commercial banks are used to supplement cash flows from operations, to support working capital needs and to finance capital expenditures as incurred. From time to time, short-term debt incurred to finance capital expenditures is refinanced with long-term debt.


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Table of Contents

Credit facilities and available liquidity as of March 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):

Company

Total Facility

Usage

Available Liquidity

Expiration Date
SJG:

 

 

 

 
Commercial Paper Program/Revolving Credit Facility

$
200,000


$
121,100


$
78,900


May 2015
Uncommitted Bank Lines (B)

10,000




10,000


Various












Total SJG

210,000


121,100


88,900


 









SJI:

 

 

 

 












Revolving Credit Facility

$
300,000


$
213,108


$
86,892


April 2015 (A)
Term Line of Credit

30,000


30,000




November 2013












Total SJI

330,000


243,108


86,892


 












Total
 
$
540,000

 
$
364,208

 
$
175,792

 
 

(A) Includes letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $19.5 million.

(B) SJG reduced the uncommitted bank lines by $10.0 million as of March 31, 2012.
The SJG facilities are restricted as to use and availability specifically to SJG; however, if necessary the SJI facilities can also be used to support SJG’s liquidity needs. All committed facilities contain one financial covenant limiting the ratio of indebtedness to total capitalization (as defined in the respective credit agreements), measured on a quarterly basis. SJI and SJG were in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2012. Borrowings under these credit facilities are at market rates. The weighted average borrowing cost, which changes daily, was 1.06% and 0.98% at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Based upon the existing credit facilities and a regular dialogue with our banks, we believe there will continue to be sufficient credit available to meet our business’ future liquidity needs.

During the third quarter of 2011, SJG began a commercial paper program under which SJG may issue short-term, unsecured promissory notes to qualified investors up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding at any time of $200.0 million.  The notes have fixed maturities which vary by note, but may not exceed 270 days from the date of issue. Proceeds from the notes are used for general corporate purposes.  SJG uses the commercial paper program in tandem with the $200.0 million revolving credit facility and does not expect the principal amount of borrowings outstanding under the commercial paper program and the credit facility at any time to exceed an aggregate of $200.0 million.

SJI supplements its operating cash flow, commercial paper program and credit lines with both debt and equity capital. Over the years, SJG has used long-term debt, primarily in the form of First Mortgage Bonds and Medium Term Notes (MTN), secured by the same pool of utility assets, to finance its long-term borrowing needs. These needs are primarily capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment. No long-term debt was issued during the three months ended March 31, 2012 or 2011. In April 2012, SJG issued $35.0 million aggregate principal amount of its MTN's as discussed in Note 15 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Concurrently with that debt issuance, SJG redeemed its $35.0 million, 7.7% MTN's due April 2027 at par plus a 2.0% premium.

SJG's $150.0 million MTN program that was approved by the BPU in September 2009 expired in September 2011. In December 2011, SJG received approval from the NJ BPU to issue up to $200.0 million in long-term debt by September 2014.

SJI raises equity capital through its Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP). Participants in SJI's DRP receive newly-issued shares, with SJI offering a 2% discount on DRP investments as it has been considered to be the most cost effective way to raise equity capital. From April 2008 through April 2011, shares of common stock offered by the DRP were purchased in open market transactions. Beginning in May 2011, shares of common stock offered by the DRP have again been issued at a 2% discount directly by SJI from its authorized but unissued shares of common stock. Through the DRP, SJI raised $2.9 million of equity capital by issuing 54,230 shares during the three months ended March 31, 2012. No shares were issued by SJI under the DRP

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Table of Contents

during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

SJI’s capital structure was as follows:

 
As of
March 31, 2012
 
As of
December 31, 2011
Equity
46.4
%
 
45.5
%
Long-Term Debt
29.6

 
31.1

Short-Term Debt
24.0

 
23.4

Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

SJI has paid dividends on its common stock for 60 consecutive years and has increased that dividend each year for the last eleven years.  The Company currently looks to grow that dividend by at least 6% to 7% per year and has a targeted payout ratio of between 50% and 60% of Economic Earnings.  In setting the dividend rate, the Board of Directors of SJI considers future earnings expectations, payout ratio, and dividend yield relative to those at peer companies, as well as returns available on other income-oriented investments.  However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to increase the dividend, meet the targeted payout ratio or pay a dividend at all in the future.

FINANCE OBLIGATION - During 2010, ACB Energy Partners LLC (ACB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energenic, of which Marina has a 50% equity interest, completed construction of a combined heat and power generating facility to serve, under an energy services agreement, a thermal plant owned by Marina. Construction period financing was provided by Marina. Due to its continuing involvement in the facility, Marina is considered the owner of the facility for accounting purposes. As a result, the Company included costs to construct the facility within Nonutility Property, Plant and Equipment on the condensed consolidated balance sheets of $23.5 million as of both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. In addition, the Company includes repayments from ACB to Marina on the construction loan within the Finance Obligation on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Marina does not have a fixed payment obligation to ACB; as a result, the Finance Obligation is classified as a noncurrent liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The costs to construct the facility and the repayments of the construction loan are amortized over the term of the energy services agreement. The impact on the condensed consolidated statements of income is not significant. As a result, the Company recorded $22.3 million and $22.5 million, net of amortization, within Finance Obligation on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

SJI has a continuing need for cash resources and capital, primarily to invest in new and replacement facilities and equipment, and for environmental remediation costs. Cash outflows for capital expenditures for the first three months of 2012 and 2011 amounted to $45.4 million and $32.1 million, respectively. Management estimates the net cash outflows for SJI for construction projects for 2012, 2013 and 2014 at SJI to be approximately $197.0 million, $122.6 million and $122.2 million, respectively. The increase in the capital expenditures is a direct result of SJG's CIRT program, which began in 2009. Costs for remediation projects, net of insurance reimbursements, for the first three months of 2012 and 2011 amounted to net cash inflows of $2.7 million and net cash outflows of $3.3 million, respectively. Total cash outflows for remediation projects are expected to be $8.7 million, $21.4 million and $11.5 million for 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.  As discussed in Notes 10 and 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s 10-K as of December 31, 2011, certain environmental costs are subject to recovery from insurance carriers and ratepayers.

As of March 31, 2012, SJI provided $19.5 million of standby letters of credit through SJI’s revolving credit facility to enable SJE to market retail electricity and for various construction activities. The Company also provided $87.5 million of additional letters of credit under separate facilities outside of the revolving credit facility to support variable-rate demand bonds issued through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to finance the expansion of SJG’s natural gas distribution system and to finance Marina's initial thermal plant project.

Contractual Obligations - There were no significant changes to the Company’s contractual obligations described in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2011, except for commodity supply purchase obligations which decreased by approximately $81.7 million in total since December 31, 2011, due to payments made during the first three months of 2012 on commitments at SJE and SJRG. In addition, SJRG's minimum commitment to purchase natural gas under long-term contracts as discussed in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI's Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2011 has changed to approximately 407,000 dts/d.


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Table of Contents

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements An off-balance sheet arrangement is any contractual arrangement involving an unconsolidated entity under which the company has either made guarantees, or has certain other interests or obligations.

The Company has recorded a liability of $1.9 million which is included in Other Noncurrent Liabilities with a corresponding increase in Investment in Affiliates on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 for the fair value of the following guarantees:

In April 2007, SJI guaranteed certain obligations of LVE Energy Partners, LLC (LVE) an unconsolidated joint venture in which Marina has a 50% equity interest.  LVE entered into a 25-year contract with a resort developer to design, build, own and operate a district energy system and central energy center for a planned resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.  LVE began construction of the facility in 2007 and expected to provide full energy service in 2010 when the resort was originally scheduled to be completed.  LVE suspended construction of the district energy system and central energy center in January 2009 after the resort developer’s August 2008 announcement that it was delaying the completion of construction of the resort due to the difficult environment in the capital markets and weak economic conditions.  The resort developer had indicated that it was considering different strategies to move its project forward, including opening its project in phases and obtaining a partner, but that it was unlikely construction would resume during 2009.  In March 2012, the resort developer, repeating previous disclosures, indicated again that it does not expect to resume construction on the project for three to five years.  The resort developer stated that it remains committed to having a significant presence on the Las Vegas Strip as part of a long-term growth strategy and continues to view this site as a major strategic asset.

The district energy system and central energy center are being financed by LVE with debt that is non-recourse to SJI. The outstanding balance of LVE’s bank debt is approximately $192.7 million as of March 31, 2012.  As a result of the construction delay, the district energy system and central energy center were not completed by the end of 2010 as originally expected. Consequently, the full amount of LVE’s debt became due and payable in December 2010. LVE intends to seek additional financing to complete the facility once construction of the resort resumes, however, as of December 31, 2010, LVE was in default under the financing agreements with the banks.  The Energy Sales Agreement between LVE and the resort developer includes a payment obligation by the resort developer to pay certain fees and expenses to LVE. A portion of this payment obligation is guaranteed to LVE’s lenders by the parent of the resort developer.

In March 2011, LVE reached agreements with (a) the resort developer, that specified the payments to be made by the developer to LVE during the suspension period and provided the developer and its corporate parent with an option to purchase the assets of LVE, and (b) the banks that are financing the energy facilities to address the existing default under the financing agreements. The terms of the March 2011 agreement require the resort developer to pay certain fees and expenses to LVE on a monthly basis beginning in March 2011 until construction of the resort resumes or until the resort developer has exercised its option to purchase the energy facilities from LVE. The monthly payments that are being paid to LVE by the resort developer are expected to be sufficient to reimburse LVE for costs to maintain the energy facilities and to cover debt service costs over-time. The resort developer has provided LVE with a $6.0 million letter of credit to support its monthly payment obligation.

The banks that are financing the energy facilities have agreed not to exercise their rights under the financing agreements resulting from the event of default discussed above through December 2013, provided that no additional events of default occur. SJI and its joint venture partner have provided a total of $10.0 million in letters of credit to the banks to support LVE’s obligations, which can be drawn upon by the banks at the end of the existing agreement in December 2013 or upon the occurrence of an event of default by LVE prior to December 2013.

As of March 31, 2012, the Company had a net liability of approximately $1.6 million included in Other Noncurrent Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to this project, in addition to unsecured Notes Receivable – Affiliate of approximately $53.1 million due from LVE. As of March 31, 2012, SJI’s capital at risk is limited to its equity contributions, letters of credit and the unsecured notes receivable totaling approximately $71.3 million. During 2012, SJI provided support to LVE of approximately $0.6 million to cover interest and other project related costs.

As a result of the construction delay, management has evaluated the investment in LVE and concluded that the fair value of this investment continues to be in excess of the carrying value as of March 31, 2012.


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SJI has guaranteed certain performance obligations of LVE under the operating agreements between LVE and the resort developer, up to $20.0 million each year for the term of the agreement, commencing with the first year of operations.  SJI and its partner in this joint venture have entered into reimbursement agreements that secure reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI on this guarantee.

SJI has guaranteed certain obligations of BC Landfill Energy, LLC (BCLE) and WC Landfill Energy, LLC (WCLE), unconsolidated joint ventures in which Marina has a 50% equity interest through Energenic. BCLE and WCLE have entered into agreements ranging from 15-20 years with the respective county governments to lease and operate facilities that will produce electricity from landfill methane gas.  Although unlikely, the maximum amount that SJI could be obligated for, in the event that BCLE and WCLE do not meet minimum specified levels of operating performance and no mitigating action is taken, or are unable to meet certain financial obligations as they become due, is approximately $4.2 million each year.  SJI and its partner in these joint ventures have entered into reimbursement agreements that secure reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI on these guarantees.  SJI holds variable interests in BCLE and WCLE but is not the primary beneficiary.

As of March 31, 2012, SJI had issued $5.2 million of parental guarantees on behalf of an unconsolidated subsidiary. These guarantees generally expire within the next two years and were issued to enable our subsidiary to market retail natural gas.

Capital Contribution Obligation - In February 2011, ACR Energy Partners, LLC (ACR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energenic, of which Marina has a 50% equity interest, entered into a 20 year contract with a developer to build, own and operate a central energy center and energy distribution system for a planned hotel, casino and entertainment complex in Atlantic City, New Jersey. ACR is currently providing construction energy to the complex and will provide full energy services when the complex is completed in 2012. Marina and its joint venture partner are obligated to make capital contributions to ACR, through Energenic, that will enable ACR to a) repay $42.0 million of construction advances made by the developer and b) deposit $2.8 million in a debt service reserve fund, provided, in each case, that the developer has met certain conditions. These conditions include, among others, substantial completion of the complex and demonstration of adequate financial resources to operate the complex. Marina and its joint venture partner have also agreed to provide a $5.0 million letter of credit in 2012 to support certain operating performance obligations of ACR under the operating agreements between ACR and the developer, provided the developer has met the conditions just outlined. SJI and its partner in this joint venture have entered into reimbursement agreements that secure reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI to or on behalf of ACR. During the first quarter of 2012, Marina and its joint venture partner each made capital contributions to ACR, through Energenic, of $16.3 million and expect to make the remaining capital contributions in the second quarter of 2012.

Pending Litigation — The Company is subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of business and other legal proceedings. The Company has been named in, among other actions, certain product liability claims related to our former sand mining subsidiary. We accrue liabilities related to these claims when we can reasonably estimate the amount or range of amounts of probable settlement costs or other charges for these claims. The Company has accrued approximately $2.9 million related to all claims in the aggregate, as of both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Management does not believe that it is reasonably possible that there will be a material change in the Company's estimated liability in the near term and does not currently anticipate the disposition of any known claims that would have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Commodity Market Risks — Certain regulated and non-regulated SJI subsidiaries are involved in buying, selling, transporting and storing natural gas and buying and selling retail electricity for their own accounts as well as managing these activities for other third parties. These subsidiaries are subject to market risk due to price fluctuations. To hedge against this risk, we enter into a variety of physical and financial transactions including forward contracts, swaps, futures and options agreements. To manage these transactions, SJI has a well-defined risk management policy approved by our Board of Directors that includes volumetric and monetary limits. Management reviews reports detailing activity daily. Generally, the derivative activities described above are entered into for risk management purposes.

SJG and SJE transact commodities on a physical basis and typically do not enter into financial derivative positions directly. SJRG manages risk in the natural gas markets for these entities as well as for its own portfolio by entering into the types of transactions noted above. As part of its gas purchasing strategy, SJG uses financial contracts through SJRG to hedge against forward price risk. These contracts are recoverable through SJG’s BGSS, subject to BPU approval. It is management’s policy, to the extent practical, within predetermined risk management policy guidelines, to have limited unmatched positions on a deal or portfolio basis while conducting these activities. As a result of holding open positions to a minimal level, the economic impact of changes in value of a particular transaction is substantially offset by an opposite change in the related hedge transaction.

SJI has entered into certain contracts to buy, sell, and transport natural gas and to buy and sell retail electricity. For those derivatives not designated as hedges, we recorded a net unrealized pre-tax gain of $7.0 million and $4.5 million in earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which are included with realized gains and losses in Operating Revenues — Nonutility.  The fair value and maturity of these energy-related contracts determined under the mark-to-market method as of March 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):

Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Source of Fair Value
Maturity
 < 1 Year
 
Maturity
 1 -3 Years
 
Maturity
Beyond 3 Years
 
Total
Prices actively quoted
$
21,017

 
$
3,301

 
$
64

 
$
24,382

Prices provided by other external sources
10,790

 
4,557

 
109

 
15,456

Prices based on internal models or other valuable methods
6,738

 
1,768

 
15

 
8,521

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
38,545

 
$
9,626

 
$
188

 
$
48,359

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Source of Fair Value
Maturity
 <1 Year
 
Maturity
1 -3 Years
 
Maturity
Beyond 3Years
 
Total
Prices actively quoted
$
21,848

 
$
2,936

 
$
7

 
$
24,791

Prices provided by other external sources
5,630

 
1,027

 
5

 
6,662

Prices based on internal models or other valuable methods
9,234

 
1,241

 
4

 
10,479

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
36,712

 
$
5,204

 
$
16

 
$
41,932


NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) is the primary national commodities exchange on which natural gas is traded. Basis represents the price of a NYMEX natural gas futures contract adjusted for the difference in price for delivering the gas at another location. Contracted volumes of our NYMEX contracts are 1.8 million decatherms (dts) with a weighted-average settlement price of $4.05 per dt.  Contracted volumes of our basis contracts are 25.2 million dts with a weighted average settlement price of $0.27 per dt.  Contracted volumes of electric are 0.2 million mwh with a weighted average settlement price of $49.38 per mwh.


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A reconciliation of SJI’s estimated net fair value of energy-related derivatives follows (in thousands):

Net Derivatives — Energy Related Liabilities,  January 1, 2012
$
(509
)
Contracts Settled During Three Months Ended March 31, 2012, Net
1,705

Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net
5,231

 
 
Net Derivatives — Energy Related Assets March 31, 2012
$
6,427


Interest Rate Risk — Our exposure to interest-rate risk relates primarily to short-term, variable-rate borrowings. Short-term, variable-rate debt outstanding at March 31, 2012 was $344.7 million and averaged $351.6 million during the first three months of 2012. A hypothetical 100 basis point (1%) increase in interest rates on our average variable-rate debt outstanding would result in a $2.1 million increase in our annual interest expense, net of tax. The 100 basis point increase was chosen for illustrative purposes, as it provides a simple basis for calculating the impact of interest rate changes under a variety of interest rate scenarios. Over the past five years, the change in basis points (b.p.) of our average monthly interest rates from the beginning to end of each year was as follows: 2011 - 33 b.p. increase; 2010 – 13 b.p. decrease; 2009 – 29 b.p. decrease; 2008 – 397 b.p. decrease; 2007 – 45 b.p. decrease.  For March 2012, our average interest rate on variable-rate debt was 1.04%.

We issue long-term debt either at fixed rates or use interest rate derivatives to limit our exposure to changes in interest rates on variable-rate, long-term debt. As of March 31, 2012, the interest costs on all but $27.1 million of our long-term debt was either at a fixed-rate or hedged via an interest rate derivative. Consequently, interest expense on existing long-term debt is not significantly impacted by changes in market interest rates.

As of March 31, 2012, SJI’s active interest rate swaps were as follows:

Amount
 
Fixed Interest Rate
 
Start Date
 
Maturity
 
Type
 
Obligor
$
3,900,000

 
4.795%
 
12/1/2004
 
12/1/2014
 
Taxable
 
Marina
$
8,000,000

 
4.775%
 
11/12/2004
 
11/12/2014
 
Taxable
 
Marina
$
14,500,000

 
3.905%
 
3/17/2006
 
1/15/2026
 
Tax-exempt
 
Marina
$
500,000

 
3.905%
 
3/17/2006
 
1/15/2026
 
Tax-exempt
 
Marina
$
330,000

 
3.905%
 
3/17/2006
 
1/15/2026
 
Tax-exempt
 
Marina
$
7,100,000

 
4.895%
 
2/1/2006
 
2/1/2016
 
Taxable
 
Marina
$
12,500,000

 
3.430%
 
12/1/2006
 
2/1/2036
 
Tax-exempt
 
SJG
$
12,500,000

 
3.430%
 
12/1/2006
 
2/1/2036
 
Tax-exempt
 
SJG

Credit Risk - As of March 31, 2012, approximately $16.9 million, or 35.0%, of the current and noncurrent Derivatives – Energy Related Assets are with a single retail counterparty. This counterparty has contracts with a large number of diverse customers which minimizes the concentration of this risk. A portion of these contracts may be assignable to SJI in the event of a default by the counterparty.

As of March 31, 2012, SJRG had $52.3 million of Accounts Receivable under sales contracts. Of that total, 80.3% were with regulated utilities or companies rated investment-grade or guaranteed by an investment-grade-rated parent or were with companies where we have a collateral arrangement or insurance coverage. The remainder of the Accounts Receivable were within approved credit limits.


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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2012. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures employed at the Company are effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has not been any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item l. Legal Proceedings

Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to Part I, Item 2, Pending Litigation, beginning on page 41. 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material change in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities - There were no purchases by SJI of its own common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Item 6. Exhibits
(a)  Exhibits

Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).
 
 
 
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).
 
 
 
101
 
The following financial statements from South Jersey Industries’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2012, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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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

 
 
SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
Dated:
May 7, 2012
By:
/s/ Edward J. Graham
 
 
 
Edward J. Graham
 
 
 
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
Dated:
May 7, 2012
By:
/s/ David A. Kindlick
 
 
 
David A. Kindlick
 
 
 
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

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