SOUTH JERSEY GAS 10-Q 3 Nov 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 01, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	91,928
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		79,549,080
South Jersey Gas Company
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SOUTH JERSEY GAS Co
Entity Central Index Key	1,035,216
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,339,139

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Operating Revenues:
Utility	$ 65,473	$ 60,983	$ 343,180	$ 312,925
Nonutility	161,654	158,099	554,150	393,594
Total Operating Revenues	227,127	219,082	897,330	706,519
Cost of Sales - (Excluding depreciation)
- Utility	28,217	25,353	131,927	110,067
- Nonutility	140,598	117,635	503,715	284,236
Operations	82,521	34,796	160,621	109,843
Maintenance	4,615	4,150	14,268	12,793
Depreciation	24,914	23,109	73,793	66,106
Energy and Other Taxes	1,517	1,449	5,139	4,617
Total Operating Expenses	282,382	206,492	889,463	587,662
Operating (Loss) Income	(55,255)	12,590	7,867	118,857
Other Income and Expense	2,253	2,223	10,235	8,787
Interest Charges	(10,567)	(7,355)	(38,291)	(24,744)
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes	(63,569)	7,458	(20,189)	102,900
Income Taxes	24,765	(2,807)	8,439	(34,885)
Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies	1,256	5,013	4,337	5,038
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations	(37,548)	9,664	(7,413)	73,053
Loss from Discontinued Operations - (Net of tax benefit)	(45)	(29)	(122)	(176)
Net (Loss) Income	$ (37,593)	$ 9,635	$ (7,535)	$ 72,877
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.47)	$ 0.12	$ (0.09)	$ 0.97
Discontinued Operations (in dollars per share)	0	0	0	0
Basic Earnings Per Common Share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.47)	$ 0.12	$ (0.09)	$ 0.97
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Basic (in shares)	79,549	79,478	79,539	75,316
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.47)	$ 0.12	$ (0.09)	$ 0.97
Discontinued Operations (in dollars per share)	0	0	0	0
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.47)	$ 0.12	$ (0.09)	$ 0.97
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Diluted (in shares)	79,549	79,635	79,539	75,411
Dividends Declared Per Common Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.26	$ 0.81	$ 0.78
South Jersey Gas Company
Operating Revenues:
Total Operating Revenues	$ 66,755	$ 62,025	$ 346,820	$ 318,553
Cost of Sales - (Excluding depreciation)
Cost of Sales (Excluding depreciation)	29,499	26,395	135,567	115,695
Operations	23,178	21,360	70,966	69,954
Maintenance	4,615	4,150	14,268	12,793
Depreciation	13,226	11,735	38,813	34,435
Energy and Other Taxes	865	838	3,032	2,425
Total Operating Expenses	71,383	64,478	262,646	235,302
Operating (Loss) Income	(4,628)	(2,453)	84,174	83,251
Other Income and Expense	1,606	1,189	4,845	3,104
Interest Charges	(6,437)	(4,058)	(18,392)	(13,397)
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes	(9,459)	(5,322)	70,627	72,958
Income Taxes	3,688	2,007	(27,654)	(26,812)
Net (Loss) Income	$ (5,771)	$ (3,315)	$ 42,973	$ 46,146

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Net (Loss) Income		$ (37,593)	$ 9,635	$ (7,535)	$ 72,877
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:
Unrealized Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities		0	154	0	258
Unrealized Gain on Derivatives - Other		7	49	1,529	149
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax	[1]	7	203	1,529	407
Comprehensive (Loss) Income		(37,586)	9,838	(6,006)	73,284
South Jersey Gas Company
Net (Loss) Income		(5,771)	(3,315)	42,973	46,146
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:
Unrealized Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities		0	38	0	45
Unrealized Gain on Derivatives - Other		7	7	21	21
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax	[2]	7	45	21	66
Comprehensive (Loss) Income		$ (5,764)	$ (3,270)	$ 42,994	$ 46,212
[1]	Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of approximately 40%.
[2]	Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of approximately 40%.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Combined statutory tax rate	40.00%	40.00%	40.00%	40.00%
South Jersey Gas Company
Combined statutory tax rate	40.00%	40.00%	40.00%	40.00%

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	$ 127,081	$ 196,433
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital Expenditures (See Note 1)	(205,604)	(189,466)
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant & Equipment	3,547	0
Investment in Long-Term Receivables	(6,670)	(8,085)
Proceeds from Long-Term Receivables	7,468	7,528
Notes Receivable	3,000	9,919
Purchase of Company-Owned Life Insurance	(8,765)	(1,755)
Investment in Affiliate	(22,434)	(8,307)
Return of Investment in Affiliate	0	4,750
Net Repayment of Notes Receivable - Affiliate	41	1,378
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (See Note 1)	(229,417)	(184,038)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net Repayments of Short-Term Credit Facilities	(16,000)	(201,500)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt	446,000	61,000
Principal Repayments of Long-Term Debt	(292,400)	(48,457)
Payments for Issuance of Long-Term Debt	(3,744)	(7)
Net Settlement of Restricted Stock (See Note 1)	(751)	0
Dividends on Common Stock	(43,353)	(39,752)
Proceeds from Sale of Common Stock	0	214,426
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities	89,752	(14,290)
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	(12,584)	(1,895)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period (See Note 1)	31,910	52,635
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period (See Note 1)	19,326	50,740
South Jersey Gas Company
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	73,186	108,690
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital Expenditures (See Note 1)	(183,875)	(161,690)
Investment in Long-Term Receivables	(6,670)	(8,085)
Proceeds from Long-Term Receivables	7,468	7,528
Notes Receivable	0	9,919
Purchase of Company-Owned Life Insurance	(4,875)	0
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (See Note 1)	(187,952)	(152,328)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net Repayments of Short-Term Credit Facilities	(104,300)	(53,400)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt	396,000	61,000
Principal Repayments of Long-Term Debt	(215,000)	(27,000)
Payments for Issuance of Long-Term Debt	(2,030)	(7)
Additional Investment by Shareholder	40,000	65,000
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities	114,670	45,593
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	(96)	1,955
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period (See Note 1)	1,391	7,544
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period (See Note 1)	$ 1,295	$ 9,499

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Utility Plant, at original cost	$ 2,591,246	$ 2,424,134
Accumulated Depreciation	(489,755)	(471,222)
Nonutility Property and Equipment, at cost	780,131	821,942
Accumulated Depreciation	(183,475)	(151,084)
Property, Plant and Equipment - Net	2,698,147	2,623,770
Investments:
Available-for-Sale Securities	32	32
Restricted Investments	5,645	13,628
Investment in Affiliates	54,137	28,906
Total Investments	59,814	42,566
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	13,681	18,282
Accounts Receivable	150,607	222,339
Unbilled Revenues	19,172	59,680
Provision for Uncollectibles	(13,765)	(12,744)
Notes Receivable	1,107	1,454
Notes Receivable - Affiliate	2,421	2,461
Natural Gas in Storage, average cost	55,502	53,857
Materials and Supplies, average cost	6,594	6,753
Prepaid Taxes	12,145	17,471
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets	42,068	72,391
Other Prepayments and Current Assets	33,931	31,369
Total Current Assets	323,463	473,313
Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets:
Regulatory Assets	477,457	410,746
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets	7,650	8,502
Notes Receivable - Affiliate	13,275	13,275
Contract Receivables	28,515	29,037
Notes Receivable	19,088	25,271
Goodwill	4,838	4,838
Identifiable Intangible Assets	14,973	15,820
Other	92,846	83,429
Total Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets	658,642	590,918
Total Assets	3,740,066	3,730,567
Equity:
Common Stock	99,436	99,347
Other Paid-In Capital and Premium on Common Stock	709,448	706,943
Treasury Stock (at par)	(266)	(266)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	(25,852)	(27,381)
Retained Earnings	438,584	510,597
Total Equity	1,221,350	1,289,240
Long-Term Debt	1,180,319	808,005
Total Capitalization	2,401,669	2,097,245
Current Liabilities:
Notes Payable	280,100	296,100
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt	10,909	231,909
Accounts Payable	208,021	243,669
Customer Deposits and Credit Balances	58,098	48,068
Environmental Remediation Costs	57,406	46,120
Taxes Accrued	2,467	2,082
Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities	26,910	60,082
Derivatives - Other Current	798	681
Dividends Payable	21,677	0
Interest Accrued	6,841	6,231
Pension Benefits	2,463	2,463
Other Current Liabilities	8,480	15,219
Total Current Liabilities	684,170	952,624
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities:
Deferred Income Taxes - Net	335,420	343,549
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	91,708	95,235
Environmental Remediation Costs	120,123	108,893
Asset Retirement Obligations	59,206	59,427
Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities	4,359	4,540
Derivatives - Other Noncurrent	10,479	9,349
Regulatory Liabilities	23,485	49,121
Other	9,447	10,584
Total Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities	654,227	680,698
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)
Total Capitalization and Liabilities	3,740,066	3,730,567
South Jersey Gas Company
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Utility Plant, at original cost	2,591,246	2,424,134
Accumulated Depreciation	(489,755)	(471,222)
Property, Plant and Equipment - Net	2,101,491	1,952,912
Investments:
Restricted Investments	891	32
Total Investments	891	32
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	404	1,359
Accounts Receivable	67,091	69,651
Accounts Receivable - Related Parties	1,083	1,355
Unbilled Revenues	6,004	41,754
Provision for Uncollectibles	(13,577)	(12,570)
Natural Gas in Storage, average cost	18,618	11,621
Materials and Supplies, average cost	890	914
Prepaid Taxes	11,599	16,428
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets	7,608	5,434
Other Prepayments and Current Assets	14,592	13,853
Total Current Assets	114,312	149,799
Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets:
Regulatory Assets	477,457	410,746
Long-Term Receivables	25,539	25,758
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets	58	373
Other	17,027	12,303
Total Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets	520,081	449,180
Total Assets	2,736,775	2,551,923
Equity:
Common Stock	5,848	5,848
Other Paid-In Capital and Premium on Common Stock	355,743	315,827
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	(14,913)	(14,934)
Retained Earnings	576,253	533,159
Total Equity	922,931	839,900
Long-Term Debt	807,694	423,177
Total Capitalization	1,730,625	1,263,077
Current Liabilities:
Notes Payable	0	104,300
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt	10,909	215,909
Accounts Payable - Commodity	31,396	23,815
Accounts Payable - Other	37,015	45,370
Accounts Payable - Related Parties	5,901	11,216
Customer Deposits and Credit Balances	56,149	45,816
Environmental Remediation Costs	57,092	45,018
Taxes Accrued	1,524	855
Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities	4,467	1,372
Derivatives - Other Current	398	386
Interest Accrued	5,571	5,369
Pension Benefits	2,428	2,428
Other Current Liabilities	4,012	8,011
Total Current Liabilities	216,862	509,865
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities:
Deferred Income Taxes - Net	497,139	469,408
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	79,183	81,800
Environmental Remediation Costs	119,225	108,029
Asset Retirement Obligations	58,431	58,674
Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities	69	0
Derivatives - Other Noncurrent	6,881	6,979
Regulatory Liabilities	23,485	49,121
Other	4,875	4,970
Total Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities	789,288	778,981
Total Capitalization and Liabilities	$ 2,736,775	$ 2,551,923

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	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 wholly-owned 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 Energy Company (SJE) acquires and markets natural gas and electricity to retail end users and provides total energy management services to commercial, industrial and residential customers. ▪ South Jersey Resources Group, LLC (SJRG) markets natural gas storage, commodity and transportation assets along with fuel management services on a wholesale basis in the mid-Atlantic, Appalachian and southern states. ▪ South Jersey Exploration, LLC (SJEX) owns oil, gas and mineral rights in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania. ▪ Marina Energy, LLC (Marina) develops and operates on-site energy-related projects. The significant wholly-owned subsidiaries of Marina are: • ACB Energy Partners, LLC (ACB) owns and operates a natural gas fueled combined heating, cooling and power facility located in Atlantic City, New Jersey. • AC Landfill Energy, LLC (ACLE), BC Landfill Energy, LLC (BCLE), SC Landfill Energy, LLC (SCLE) and SX Landfill Energy, LLC (SXLE) own and operate landfill gas-fired electric production facilities in Atlantic, Burlington, Salem and Sussex Counties located in New Jersey. • MCS Energy Partners, LLC (MCS), NBS Energy Partners, LLC (NBS) and SBS Energy Partners, LLC (SBS) own and operate solar-generation sites located in New Jersey. ▪ South Jersey Energy Service Plus, LLC (SJESP) serviced residential and small commercial HVAC systems, installed small commercial HVAC systems, provided plumbing services and serviced appliances under warranty via a subcontractor arrangement as well as on a time and materials basis. On September 1, 2017, SJESP sold certain assets of its residential and small commercial HVAC and plumbing business to a third party. SJESP will receive commissions paid on service contracts from the third party on a go forward basis. This transaction did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements. ▪ SJI Midstream, LLC (Midstream) invests in infrastructure and other midstream projects, including a current project to build an approximately 118 -mile natural gas pipeline in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. BASIS OF PRESENTATION - SJI's condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SJI, its wholly-owned subsidiaries (including SJG) and subsidiaries in which SJI has a controlling interest. SJI eliminates all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. In management’s opinion, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of SJI and SJG reflect all normal and recurring adjustments needed to fairly present their respective financial positions, operating results and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented. SJI’s and SJG'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 of SJI and SJG 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 and SJG's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a more complete discussion of the accounting policies and certain other information. Certain reclassifications have been made to SJI's and SJG's prior period condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to the current period presentation. Restricted cash is now combined with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period balances on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows of SJI, as well as the condensed statements of cash flows for SJG, to conform to ASU 2016-18, which is described below under "New Accounting Pronouncements." This combination of restricted cash and cash and cash equivalents caused Cash Flows from Investing Activities for both SJI and SJG to be adjusted in order to remove items relating to capital expenditures and proceeds from restricted investments (SJI only), as well as the sale of restricted investments in a margin account (SJI and SJG). Certain reclassifications have been made to SJI's prior period condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to the current period presentation. Cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes is now classified as a financing activity in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to ASU 2016-09, which is described below under "New Accounting Pronouncements." This caused SJI's prior period Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities to increase by $0.4 million and Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities to decrease by the same amount. Adoption of this guidance did not effect SJG's condensed statements of cash flows. REVENUE-BASED TAXES - SJG collects certain revenue-based energy taxes from its customers. Such taxes include the New Jersey State Sales Tax 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. The PUA is included in both utility revenue and energy and other taxes and totaled $0.2 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, and $0.8 million and $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively . IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS - Long-lived assets that are held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate carrying values may not be recoverable. Such reviews are performed in accordance with ASC 360. An impairment loss is indicated if the total future estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from an asset are less than its carrying value. An impairment charge is measured by the difference between an asset's carrying amount and fair value with the difference recorded within Operating Expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of income. Fair values can be determined by a variety of valuation methods, including third-party appraisals, sales prices of similar assets, and present value techniques. SJI recorded an impairment charge of $0.3 million during the first quarter of 2017 due to a reduction in the expected cash flows to be received from a solar generating facility. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, SJI had reason to believe that due to a significant decline in the market prices of Maryland solar renewable energy credits (SRECs), combined with an increase of operating expenses, the full carrying value of SJI’s Maryland solar facilities may not be recoverable. As a result, SJI performed an impairment test on the respective assets which led to an impairment charge of $43.9 million . These impairment charges are recorded within Operating Expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of income and are included within the on-site energy production segment. The fair values of the facilities were determined using an income approach by applying a discounted cash flow methodology to the future estimated cash flows, which were Level 3 fair value measurements and include key inputs such as forecasted revenues, operating expenses and discount rates. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, SJI had impairment charges of $43.9 million and $44.2 million , respectively. No impairments were identified at SJG for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 . For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , no impairments were identified at SJI or SJG. See Note 13. Marina’s solar energy projects rely on returns from electricity and SRECs. A decrease in the value of electricity and SRECs impacted by market conditions and/or legislative changes may negatively impact Marina's return on its investments as well as lead to impairment of the respective assets. GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT - SJI 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. No impairment charges were recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 or 2016 . As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , $8.7 million and $8.8 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 SJI's condensed consolidated balance sheets. TREASURY STOCK - SJI uses the par value method of accounting for treasury stock. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , SJI held 213,061 and 212,617 shares of treasury stock, respectively. These shares are related to deferred compensation arrangements where the amounts earned are held in the stock of SJI. 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 Marina 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. GOODWILL - Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration paid over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead is subject to impairment testing on an annual basis, and between annual tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying amount. No such events have occurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 . Goodwill totaled $4.8 million on the condensed consolidated balance sheets of SJI as of both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS - Other than as described below, no new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during 2017 or 2016 had, or are expected to have, a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in FASB ASC 605, Revenue Recognition , and in most industry-specific topics. The new guidance identifies how and when entities should recognize revenue. The new rules establish a core principle requiring the recognition of revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount reflecting the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for such goods or services. In connection with this new standard, the FASB has issued several amendments to ASU 2014-09, as follows: • In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) . This standard improves the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations and whether an entity reports revenue on a gross or net basis. • In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing . This standard clarifies identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance. • In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients . This standard provides additional guidance on (a) the objective of the collectibility criterion, (b) the presentation of sales tax collected from customers, (c) the measurement date of non-cash consideration received, (d) practical expedients in respect of contract modifications and completed contracts at transition, and (e) disclosure of the effects of the accounting change in the period of adoption. • In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which amends certain narrow aspects of the guidance, including the disclosure of remaining performance obligations and prior-period performance obligations, as well as other amendments to the guidance on loan guarantee fees, contract costs, refund liabilities, advertising costs and the clarification of certain examples. The new guidance in ASU 2014-09, as well as all amendments discussed above, is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Management formed an implementation team that evaluated the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. This evaluation included assessing the impact of the guidance on our contracts in all our revenue streams by reviewing current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the new requirements to our revenue contracts. We expect that the majority of SJI and SJG revenue streams will be in scope of the new guidance, which includes SJG’s regulated revenue under tariffs, for which no change in current revenue recognition practices is expected. Revenues from contracts that SJI and SJG have with customers are currently recorded as gas or electricity is delivered to the customer, which is consistent with the new guidance under ASC 606. As a result, based on the review of customer contracts to date, SJI is not anticipating this guidance to have a material impact to SJI's or SJG's statements of consolidated income, cash flows or consolidated balance sheets upon adoption. The ASU does include expanded disclosure requirements, which we will include for periods beginning after December 15, 2017 as per the ASU. We do not anticipate any significant changes to our business processes, systems or internal controls over financial reporting needed to support recognition and disclosure under the new guidance. We are continuing with our implementation plan and expect to transition to the new guidance beginning in 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities , which enhances the reporting model for financial instruments and includes amendments to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The standard is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for only certain portions of the new guidance. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , which establishes a new lease accounting model for lessees. The new standard requires substantially all leases be recognized by lessees on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability, including leases currently accounted for as operating leases. The new standard also will result in enhanced quantitative and qualitative disclosures, including significant judgments made by management, to provide greater insight into the extent of revenue and expense recognized and expected to be recognized from existing leases. The accounting for leases by the lessor remains relatively the same. The standard is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Management has formed an implementation team that is inventorying leases and evaluating the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on SJI's and SJG's financial statements. Consistent with the requirements of the standard, SJI and SJG will both transition to the new guidance using the modified retrospective approach. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting , which simplifies various aspects of accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The standard was effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statement results of SJI or SJG; however, cash flow presentation was modified for SJI to conform to this guidance, as described under “Basis of Presentation” above. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory . This standard requires recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of an intra-entity asset transfer, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs, as opposed to current GAAP, which requires companies to defer the income tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The income tax effects of intra-entity inventory transfers will continue to be deferred until the inventory is sold. ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. The standard is required to be adopted on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash . This standard is intended to reduce diversity in practice in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. This ASU requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change in total cash and cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts. This ASU also requires a reconciliation between the total of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash presented on the statement of cash flows and the cash and cash equivalents balance presented on the balance sheets. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Both SJI and SJG early adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2017. Accordingly, cash flow presentations were modified for both entities to conform to this guidance, as described under “Basis of Presentation” above. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business . This new standard provides amended and clarifying guidance regarding whether an integrated set of assets and activities acquired is deemed the acquisition of a business (and, thus, accounted for as a business combination) or the acquisition of assets. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment . The update simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount. The amendments in this update are effective for annual and any interim impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 31, 2019. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This ASU is designed to improve guidance related to the presentation of defined benefit costs in the income statement. In particular, this ASU requires an employer to report the service cost component in the same line item(s) as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting . This ASU clarifies and reduces both (i) diversity in practice and (ii) cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, to a change to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment award. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities . This ASU is intended to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships so that it represents a more faithful portrayal of an entity’s risk management activities (i.e. to help financial statement users understand an entity’s risk exposures and the manner in which hedging strategies are used to manage them), as well as to further simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance in GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN: On April 30, 2015, the shareholders of SJI approved the adoption of SJI's 2015 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan (Plan), replacing the Amended and Restated 1997 Stock-Based Compensation Plan that had terminated on January 26, 2015. Under the Plan, shares may be issued to SJI’s officers (Officers), non-employee directors (Directors) and other key employees. No options were granted or outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 . No stock appreciation rights have been issued under the plans. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , SJI granted 167,734 and 193,670 restricted shares, respectively, to Officers and other key employees under the Plan. Performance-based restricted shares vest over a three -year period and are subject to SJI achieving certain market and earnings-based performance targets, which can cause the actual amount of shares that ultimately vest to range from 0% to 200% of the original shares granted. In 2015, SJI began granting time-based shares of restricted stock, one-third of which vest annually over a three -year period and which are limited to a 100% payout. Vesting of time-based grants is contingent upon SJI achieving a return on equity (ROE) of at least 7% during the initial year of the grant and meeting the service requirement. Provided that the 7% ROE requirement is met in the initial year, payout is solely contingent upon the service requirement being met in years two and three of the grant. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , Officers and other key employees were granted 53,058 and 58,101 shares of time-based restricted stock, respectively, which are included in the shares noted above. Grants containing market-based performance targets use SJI's total shareholder return (TSR) relative to a peer group to measure performance. As TSR-based grants are contingent upon market and service conditions, SJI is required to measure and recognize stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value at the date of grant on a straight-line basis over the requisite three -year period of each award. In addition, SJI identifies specific forfeitures of share-based awards, and compensation expense is adjusted accordingly over the requisite service period. Compensation expense is not adjusted based on the actual achievement of performance goals. The fair value of TSR-based restricted stock awards on the date of grant is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Through 2014, grants containing earnings-based targets were based on SJI's earnings growth rate per share (EGR) relative to a peer group to measure performance. In 2015, earnings-based performance targets included pre-defined EGR and ROE goals to measure performance. Beginning in 2016, performance targets include pre-defined compounded earnings annual growth rate (CEGR) for SJI. As EGR-based, ROE-based and CEGR-based grants are contingent upon performance and service conditions, SJI is required to measure and recognize stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value at the date of grant over the requisite three -year period of each award. The fair value is measured as the market price at the date of grant. The initial accruals of compensation expense are based on the estimated number of shares expected to vest, assuming the requisite service is rendered and probable outcome of the performance condition is achieved. That estimate is revised if subsequent information indicates that the actual number of shares is likely to differ from previous estimates. Compensation expense is ultimately adjusted based on the actual achievement of service and performance targets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , SJI granted 30,394 and 35,197 restricted shares, respectively, to Directors. Shares issued to Directors vest over twelve months and contain no performance conditions. As a result, 100% of the shares granted generally vest. The following table summarizes the nonvested restricted stock awards outstanding for SJI at September 30, 2017 and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the awards: Grants Shares Outstanding Fair Value Per Share Expected Volatility Risk-Free Interest Rate Officers & Key Employees - 2015 - TSR 33,449 $ 26.31 16.0 % 1.10 % 2015 - EGR, ROE, Time 61,357 $ 29.47 N/A N/A 2016 - TSR 65,544 $ 22.53 18.1 % 1.31 % 2016 - CEGR, Time 102,616 $ 23.52 N/A N/A 2017 - TSR 56,644 $ 32.17 20.8 % 1.47 % 2017 - CEGR, Time 109,107 $ 33.69 N/A N/A Directors - 2017 30,394 $ 33.64 N/A N/A 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 requisite 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 to SJI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Officers & Key Employees $ 1,087 $ 781 $ 3,274 $ 2,396 Directors 256 210 767 630 Total Cost 1,343 991 4,041 3,026 Capitalized (96 ) (77 ) (288 ) (289 ) Net Expense $ 1,247 $ 914 $ 3,753 $ 2,737 As of September 30, 2017 , there was $6.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation awards granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years. The following table summarizes information regarding restricted stock award activity for SJI during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , excluding accrued dividend equivalents: Officers &Other Key Employees Directors Weighted Average Fair Value Nonvested Shares Outstanding, January 1, 2017 295,515 35,197 $ 24.96 Granted 167,734 30,394 $ 33.24 Cancelled/Forfeited (3,891 ) — $ 28.70 Vested (30,641 ) (35,197 ) $ 24.75 Nonvested Shares Outstanding, September 30, 2017 428,717 30,394 $ 28.53 During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , SJI awarded 65,628 shares to its Officers and other key employees at a market value of $2.2 million , and 13,247 shares at a market value of $0.3 million , respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , SJI also granted 30,394 and 35,197 shares to its Directors at a market value of $1.0 million and $0.8 million , respectively. SJI has a policy of issuing new shares to satisfy its obligations under the Plan; therefore, there are no cash payment requirements resulting from the normal operation of the 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. South Jersey Gas Company - Officers and other key employees of SJG participate in the stock-based compensation plans of SJI. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , SJG officers and other key employees were granted 24,001 and 32,732 shares of SJI restricted stock, respectively. The cost of outstanding stock awards for SJG during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $0.3 million and $0.2 million , respectively. Approximately one-half of these costs were capitalized on SJG's condensed balance sheets to Utility Plant.

AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OPER

AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS: AFFILIATIONS — The following affiliated entities are accounted for under the equity method: PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC (PennEast) - Midstream has a 20% investment in PennEast, which is planning to construct an approximately 118 -mile natural gas pipeline that will extend from Northeastern Pennsylvania into New Jersey, with construction to begin in 2018. Energenic – US, LLC (Energenic) - Marina and a joint venture partner formed Energenic, in which Marina has a 50% equity interest. Energenic developed and operated on-site, self-contained, energy-related projects. Millennium Account Services, LLC (Millennium) - SJI and a joint venture partner formed Millennium, in which SJI has a 50% equity interest. Millennium reads utility customers’ meters on a monthly basis for a fee. Potato Creek, LLC (Potato Creek) - SJI and a joint venture partner formed 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. During the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 , SJI made net investments in unconsolidated affiliates of $22.4 million and $2.2 million , respectively. As of both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the outstanding balance of Notes Receivable – Affiliate was $15.7 million . As of September 30, 2017 , $13.7 million of these notes were secured by property, plant and equipment of the affiliates, accrue interest at 7.5% and are to be repaid through 2025 . The remaining $2.0 million of these notes are unsecured and accrue interest at variable rates. 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 September 30, 2017 , SJI had a net asset of approximately $54.1 million included in Investment in Affiliates 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 September 30, 2017 , is limited to its combined equity contributions and the Notes Receivable-Affiliate in the aggregate amount of $69.8 million . DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - 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 (see Note 11). Summarized operating results of the discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , were (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Loss before Income Taxes: Sand Mining $ (17 ) $ (20 ) $ (49 ) $ (184 ) Fuel Oil (53 ) (24 ) (139 ) (86 ) Income Tax Benefits 25 15 66 94 Loss from Discontinued Operations — Net $ (45 ) $ (29 ) $ (122 ) $ (176 ) Earnings Per Common Share from Discontinued Operations — Net: Basic and Diluted $ — $ — $ — $ — SJG RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS - There have been no significant changes in the nature of SJG’s related-party transactions since December 31, 2016 . See Note 5 to the Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJG’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a detailed description of the related parties and their associated transactions. A summary of related party transactions involving SJG, excluding pass-through items, included in SJG's Operating Revenues were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Operating Revenues/Affiliates: SJRG $ 1,210 $ 977 $ 3,421 $ 5,399 Marina 72 65 219 229 Other 21 21 63 63 Total Operating Revenue/Affiliates $ 1,303 $ 1,063 $ 3,703 $ 5,691 Related-party transactions involving SJG, excluding pass-through items, included in SJG's Cost of Sales and Operating Expenses were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Costs of Sales/Affiliates (Excluding depreciation) SJRG $ 1,453 $ 490 $ 12,399 $ 9,993 Operations Expense/Affiliates: SJI $ 4,316 $ 4,632 $ 15,354 $ 14,502 Millennium 717 703 2,137 2,098 Other (173 ) (48 ) (253 ) (154 ) Total Operations Expense/Affiliates $ 4,860 $ 5,287 $ 17,238 $ 16,446

COMMON STOCK

COMMON STOCK	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
COMMON STOCK	COMMON STOCK: The following shares were issued and outstanding for SJI: 2017 Beginning Balance, January 1 79,478,055 New Issuances During the Period: Stock-Based Compensation Plan 71,025 Ending Balance, September 30 79,549,080 The par value ( $1.25 per share) of stock issued was recorded in Common Stock and the net excess over par value of approximately $2.5 million was recorded in Premium on Common Stock. In May 2016, SJI issued and sold 8,050,000 shares of its common stock, par value $1.25 per share pursuant to a public offering, raising net proceeds of approximately $203.6 million . The net proceeds from this offering were or will be used for capital expenditures, primarily for regulated businesses, including infrastructure investments at its utility business. There were 2,339,139 shares of SJG's common stock (par value $2.50 per share) outstanding as of September 30, 2017 . SJG did not issue any new shares during the period. SJI owns all of the outstanding common stock of SJG. SJI's EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (EPS) - SJI's 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 156,673 and 94,997 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , incremental shares of 138,346 and 137,003 were not included in the denominator for the diluted EPS calculation because they would have an antidilutive effect on EPS. These additional shares relate to SJI's restricted stock as discussed in Note 2. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN (DRP) - SJI offers a DRP which allows participating shareholders to purchase shares of SJI common stock by automatic reinvestment of dividends or optional purchases. Prior to May 1, 2016 shares of common stock offered by the DRP had been issued directly by SJI from its authorized but unissued shares of common stock. SJI raised $10.8 million of equity capital through the DRP during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Effective May 1, 2016, SJI switched to purchasing shares on the open market to fund share purchases by DRP participants. SJI does not intend to issue any new equity capital via the DRP in 2017.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Financial Instruments, Owned, at Fair Value [Abstract]
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: RESTRICTED INVESTMENTS — Marina is required to maintain escrow accounts related to ongoing capital projects. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the escrowed funds, including interest earned, totaled $0.3 million and $1.9 million , respectively, which are recorded in Restricted Investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. SJI and SJG maintain margin accounts with selected counterparties to support their 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , SJI's balances in these accounts totaled $5.3 million and $11.7 million , respectively, held by the counterparty, which is recorded in Restricted Investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2017 , SJG's balance held by the counterparty totaled $0.9 million and was recorded in Restricted Investments on the condensed balance sheets. As of December 31, 2016 , SJG's balance held by SJG as collateral was $3.6 million which was recorded in Accounts Payable - Other on the condensed balance sheets. The carrying amounts of the Restricted Investments for both SJI and SJG approximate their fair values at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , which would be included in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy (see Note 13). The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows (in thousands): As of September 30, 2017 Balance Sheet Line Item SJI SJG Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 13,681 $ 404 Restricted Investments 5,645 891 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 19,326 $ 1,295 As of December 31, 2016 Balance Sheet Line Item SJI SJG Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 18,282 $ 1,359 Restricted Investments 13,628 32 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 31,910 $ 1,391 INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATES - During 2011, subsidiaries of Energenic, in which Marina has a 50% equity interest, entered into 20 -year contracts to build, own and operate a central energy center and energy distribution system for a new hotel, casino and entertainment complex in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The complex commenced operations in April 2012, and as a result, Energenic subsidiaries began providing full energy services to the complex. In June 2014, the parent company of the hotel, casino and entertainment complex filed petitions in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to facilitate a sale of substantially all of its assets. The complex ceased normal business operations in September 2014. Energenic subsidiaries continued to provide limited energy services to the complex during the shutdown period under a temporary agreement with the trustee. The hotel, casino and entertainment complex was sold in April 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the Energenic subsidiaries were providing limited services to the complex under a short-term agreement with the new owner. However, the Energenic subsidiaries had not been able to secure a permanent or long-term energy services agreement with the new owner. The central energy center and energy distribution system owned by the Energenic subsidiaries was financed in part by the issuance of bonds during 2011. These bonds were collateralized primarily by certain assets of the central energy center and revenue from the energy services agreement with the hotel, casino and entertainment complex. During 2015, due to the cessation of normal business operations of the complex and the inability of the Energenic subsidiaries to meet its obligations under the bonds, the trustee for the bondholders filed suit to foreclose on certain assets of the central energy center. In November 2015 during settlement discussions, the bondholders alleged, among other things, that they were entitled to recover from Energenic itself, any amounts owed under the bonds that were not covered by the collateral, including principal, interest and attorney’s fees. The bondholders’ assertion was based on inconsistent language in the bond documents. In January 2016, Energenic and certain subsidiaries reached a multi-party settlement with the bondholders. This agreement resolves all outstanding litigation and transfers ownership of the bondholders’ collateral to the owners of the entertainment complex. The Company's share of this settlement was $7.5 million , which was accrued by Energenic as of December 31, 2015 and paid in 2016. The Company entered into agreements with its insurance carrier and external legal advisors to recover, net of legal costs, approximately $7.0 million of costs associated with the bondholder settlement discussed above. The Company received $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2016, which is included in Other Income on the statements of consolidated income for the year ended December 31, 2016, and $5.3 million was received in the third quarter of 2016 and is included in Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies on the statements of consolidated income for the year ended December 31, 2016, as the loss recorded in the prior year was included in this line item on the statements of consolidated income for the year ended December 31, 2015. As of September 30, 2017 , SJI had approximately $13.7 million included in Notes Receivable - Affiliate on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, due from Energenic, which is secured by its cogeneration assets for energy service projects. This note is subject to a reimbursement agreement that secures reimbursement for SJI, from its joint venture partner, of a proportionate share of any amounts that are not repaid. Management will continue to monitor the situation surrounding the cogeneration assets and will evaluate the carrying value of the investment and the note receivable as future events occur. 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 periods ranging from five to ten years, with no interest. The carrying amounts of such loans were $7.4 million and $9.5 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , 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 $0.8 million and $0.9 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. The annualized amortization to interest is not material to SJI’s or SJG's condensed consolidated financial statements. The carrying amounts of these receivables approximate their fair value at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , which would be included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy (see Note 13). CREDIT RISK - As of September 30, 2017 , SJI had approximately $8.8 million , or 17.7% , of the current and noncurrent Derivatives – Energy Related Assets transacted with two counterparties. One 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 default by the counterparty. The second counterparty is investment-grade rated with a rating of Baa1. 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 and SJG's financial instruments approximate their fair values at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , except as noted below. • For Long-Term Debt, in estimating the fair value, SJI and SJG use the present value of remaining cash flows at the balance sheet date. SJI and SJG based the estimates on interest rates available at the end of each period for debt with similar terms and maturities (Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, see Note 13). • The estimated fair values of SJI's long-term debt (which includes SJG and all consolidated subsidiaries), including current maturities, as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , were $1,161.6 million and $1,080.8 million , respectively. The carrying amounts of SJI's long-term debt, including current maturities, as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , were $1,191.2 million and $1,039.9 million , respectively. SJI's carrying amounts as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $9.9 million and $7.6 million , respectively. • The estimated fair values of SJG's long-term debt, including current maturities, as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , were $833.2 million and $673.1 million , respectively. The carrying amount of SJG's long-term debt, including current maturities, as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , was $818.6 million and $639.1 million , respectively. The carrying amounts as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $7.5 million and $6.0 million , respectively. OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - The carrying amounts of SJI's and SJG's other financial instruments approximate their fair values at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 .

SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS

SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS	SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS: SJI operates in several different reportable operating segments which reflect the financial information regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker. These segments are as follows: • Gas utility operations (SJG) consist primarily of natural gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers. The result of SJG are only included in this operating segment. • Wholesale energy operations include the activities of SJRG and SJEX. • 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, industrial and residential customers. • On-site energy production consists of Marina's thermal energy facility and other energy-related projects. Also included in this segment are the activities of ACB, ACLE, BCLE, SCLE, SXLE, MCS, NBS and SBS. • Appliance service operations includes SJESP, which serviced residential and small commercial HVAC systems, installed small commercial HVAC systems, provided plumbing services and serviced appliances under warranty via a subcontractor arrangement as well as on a time and materials basis. On September 1, 2017, SJESP sold certain assets of its residential and small commercial HVAC and plumbing business to a third party. SJESP will receive commissions paid on service contracts from the third party on a go forward basis. • Midstream was formed to invest in infrastructure and other midstream projects, including a current project to build a natural gas pipeline in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The activities of Midstream are a part of the Corporate and Services segment. SJI groups its nonutility operations into two categories: Energy Group and Energy Services. Energy Group includes wholesale energy, retail gas and other, and retail electric operations. Energy Services includes 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. Information about SJI’s operations in different reportable operating segments is presented below (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Operating Revenues: Gas Utility Operations $ 66,755 $ 62,025 $ 346,820 $ 318,553 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations 70,741 67,926 274,667 131,691 Retail Gas and Other Operations 18,156 11,865 76,793 63,903 Retail Electric Operations 45,316 51,585 136,893 134,141 Subtotal Energy Group 134,213 131,376 488,353 329,735 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production 29,942 31,034 74,689 70,398 Appliance Service Operations 1,552 1,812 5,190 5,750 Subtotal Energy Services 31,494 32,846 79,879 76,148 Corporate and Services 9,577 7,059 32,186 24,352 Subtotal 242,039 233,306 947,238 748,788 Intersegment Sales (14,912 ) (14,224 ) (49,908 ) (42,269 ) Total Operating Revenues $ 227,127 $ 219,082 $ 897,330 $ 706,519 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Operating (Loss) Income: Gas Utility Operations $ (4,628 ) $ (2,453 ) $ 84,174 $ 83,251 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations (11,346 ) 8,014 (41,163 ) 15,109 Retail Gas and Other Operations (574 ) (2,520 ) (3,801 ) 2,971 Retail Electric Operations (344 ) 1,223 2,117 4,085 Subtotal Energy Group (12,264 ) 6,717 (42,847 ) 22,165 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production (38,351 ) 8,077 (35,216 ) 12,549 Appliance Service Operations (392 ) 277 (398 ) 579 Subtotal Energy Services (38,743 ) 8,354 (35,614 ) 13,128 Corporate and Services 380 (28 ) 2,154 313 Total Operating (Loss) Income $ (55,255 ) $ 12,590 $ 7,867 $ 118,857 Depreciation and Amortization: Gas Utility Operations $ 17,751 $ 15,954 $ 52,559 $ 47,368 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations 31 39 92 447 Retail Gas and Other Operations 80 85 247 253 Subtotal Energy Group 111 124 339 700 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production 11,731 11,274 34,998 32,088 Appliance Service Operations 43 73 153 248 Subtotal Energy Services 11,774 11,347 35,151 32,336 Corporate and Services 448 373 1,267 856 Total Depreciation and Amortization $ 30,084 $ 27,798 $ 89,316 $ 81,260 Interest Charges: Gas Utility Operations $ 6,437 $ 4,058 $ 18,392 $ 13,397 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations (162 ) — 3,031 32 Retail Gas and Other Operations 55 86 204 296 Subtotal Energy Group (107 ) 86 3,235 328 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production 3,549 3,032 13,240 9,936 Corporate and Services 5,055 2,896 15,237 9,206 Subtotal 14,934 10,072 50,104 32,867 Intersegment Borrowings (4,367 ) (2,717 ) (11,813 ) (8,123 ) Total Interest Charges $ 10,567 $ 7,355 $ 38,291 $ 24,744 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Income Taxes: Gas Utility Operations $ (3,688 ) $ (2,007 ) $ 27,654 $ 26,812 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations (4,281 ) 3,125 (16,984 ) 5,604 Retail Gas and Other Operations (225 ) (1,062 ) (1,265 ) 1,220 Retail Electric Operations (141 ) 499 866 1,669 Subtotal Energy Group (4,647 ) 2,562 (17,383 ) 8,493 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production (16,270 ) 2,118 (19,120 ) (784 ) Appliance Service Operations (220 ) 102 (201 ) 254 Subtotal Energy Services (16,490 ) 2,220 (19,321 ) (530 ) Corporate and Services 60 32 611 110 Total Income Taxes $ (24,765 ) $ 2,807 $ (8,439 ) $ 34,885 Property Additions: Gas Utility Operations $ 59,179 $ 53,623 $ 187,587 $ 155,126 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations — — 5 7 Retail Gas and Other Operations 204 455 632 1,180 Subtotal Energy Group 204 455 637 1,187 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production 1,633 9,152 11,899 14,468 Appliance Service Operations — 73 260 425 Subtotal Energy Services 1,633 9,225 12,159 14,893 Corporate and Services 105 174 1,191 901 Total Property Additions $ 61,121 $ 63,477 $ 201,574 $ 172,107 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Identifiable Assets: Gas Utility Operations $ 2,736,775 $ 2,551,923 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations 153,933 233,019 Retail Gas and Other Operations 35,487 52,729 Retail Electric Operations 32,103 41,280 Subtotal Energy Group 221,523 327,028 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production 662,087 767,710 Appliance Service Operations 1,720 2,879 Subtotal Energy Services 663,807 770,589 Discontinued Operations 1,769 1,756 Corporate and Services 781,238 649,795 Intersegment Assets (665,046 ) (570,524 ) Total Identifiable Assets $ 3,740,066 $ 3,730,567

RATES AND REGULATORY ACTIONS

RATES AND REGULATORY ACTIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Public Utilities, General Disclosures [Abstract]
RATES AND REGULATORY ACTIONS	RATES AND REGULATORY ACTIONS: SJG is subject to the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU). In October 2017, SJG settled its base rate case, pursuant to which the BPU granted SJG a base rate increase, effective November 1, 2017, of $39.5 million , which was predicated in part upon a 6.80% rate of return on rate base that included a 9.60% return on common equity. The BPU Order allows SJG to recover revenues associated with certain infrastructure and system improvement investments made and the related expenses incurred since the approval of its previous base rate case proceeding in September 2014. In January 2017, the BPU issued an order approving SJG’s request to extend the expiration date of its Energy Efficiency Programs (EEPs) from August 2017 to December 2018, without any modification to the programs or the amount of the previously authorized budget of $36.3 million , inclusive of operation and maintenance expenses. In April 2017, SJG provided a Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) bill credit of approximately $8.0 million to its residential and small commercial customers. The credit was in addition to the overall rate reduction that was approved by the BPU and took effect in October 2016. In June 2017, SJG filed its annual Energy Efficiency Tracker (EET) rate adjustment petition, requesting a $3.0 million increase in revenues to continue recovering the costs of, and the allowed return on, prior investments associated with its EEP. The petition is currently pending BPU approval. In July 2017, SJG made its annual 2017-2018 Societal Benefits Clause (SBC) filing, requesting an $8.0 million increase in annual revenues. The SBC is comprised of sub-components, including the Remediation Adjustment Clause (RAC), the Clean Energy Program (CLEP) and the Transportation Initiation Clause (TIC). The related petition is currently pending BPU approval. In September 2017, the BPU approved the following SJG requests: • A $4.7 million decrease in BGSS annual revenues and a $0.2 million increase in Conservation Incentive Program (CIP) annual revenues, both effective October 1, 2017 and associated with the 2017-2018 BGSS/CIP year, which runs from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. • An increase in annual revenues from base rates of $5.0 million to reflect the roll-in of $46.1 million of Accelerated Infrastructure Replacement Program (AIRP II) investments made from October 2016 through June 2017, effective October 1, 2017. • An increase in annual revenues from base rates of $3.6 million to reflect the roll-in of $33.3 million of Storm Hardening and Reliability Program (SHARP) investments made from July 2016 through June 2017, effective October 1, 2017. • The statewide Universal Service Fund (USF) annual 2017-2018 budget for all the State's gas utilities. which includes a $2.0 million decrease in SJG's USF recoveries, effective October 1, 2017. The BGSS, CIP and USF approvals discussed above do not impact SJG's earnings. They represent changes in the cash requirements of SJG corresponding to cost changes and/or previously over/under recoveries from ratepayers associated with each respective mechanism. There have been no other significant regulatory actions or changes to SJG's rate structure since December 31, 2016 . See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Note 3 to the Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .

REGULATORY ASSETS AND REGULATOR

REGULATORY ASSETS AND REGULATORY LIABILITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
REGULATORY ASSETS AND REGULATORY LIABILITIES	REGULATORY ASSETS AND REGULATORY LIABILITIES: There have been no significant changes to the nature of SJG’s regulatory assets and liabilities since December 31, 2016 , which are described in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Note 4 to the Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 . SJI has no regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities other than those of SJG. SJI's and SJG's Regulatory Assets consisted of the following items (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Environmental Remediation Costs: Expended - Net $ 93,724 $ 71,997 Liability for Future Expenditures 176,805 153,047 Deferred Asset Retirement Obligation Costs 42,283 43,014 Deferred Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs 85,693 85,693 Deferred Gas Costs - Net 15,245 — Conservation Incentive Program Receivable 32,429 27,567 Societal Benefit Costs Receivable 906 — Deferred Interest Rate Contracts 7,280 7,365 Energy Efficiency Tracker 1,994 219 Pipeline Supplier Service Charges 862 2,122 Pipeline Integrity Cost 5,160 4,810 AFUDC - Equity Related Deferrals 12,331 12,434 Other Regulatory Assets 2,745 2,478 Total Regulatory Assets $ 477,457 $ 410,746 ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS - SJG has two regulatory assets associated with environmental costs related to the cleanup of 12 sites where SJG or its predecessors previously operated gas manufacturing plants. The first asset, "Environmental Remediation Cost: Expended - Net," represents what was actually spent to clean up the sites, less recoveries through the Remediation Adjustment Clause (RAC) and insurance carriers. These costs meet the deferral requirements of GAAP, as the BPU allows SJG to recover such expenditures through the RAC. The other asset, "Environmental Remediation Cost: Liability for Future Expenditures," relates to estimated future expenditures required to complete the remediation of these sites. SJG recorded this estimated amount as a regulatory asset with the corresponding current and noncurrent liabilities on the balance sheets under the captions "Current Liabilities" (both SJI and SJG), "Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities" (SJI) and "Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Liabilities" (SJG). The BPU allows SJG to recover the deferred costs over seven -year periods after they are spent. The increase from December 31, 2016 is a result of expenditures made during the first nine months of 2017 and an increase in the expected future expenditures for remediation activities, primarily due to a change in the proposed type of remediation at two of the sites currently under remediation. The proposed change results in an increase in contractor costs. DEFERRED GAS COSTS - NET - Over/Under collections of gas costs are monitored through SJG's BGSS mechanism. 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 change in the BGSS from a $17.8 million regulatory liability at December 31, 2016 to a $15.2 million regulatory asset at September 30, 2017 was primarily due to an unfavorable court ruling related to a pricing dispute between SJG and a supplier (See Notes 11 and 16) and the actual gas commodity costs exceeding recoveries from customers. CONSERVATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM (CIP) RECEIVABLE – The CIP tracking mechanism adjusts earnings when actual usage per customer experienced during the period varies from an established baseline usage per customer. Actual usage per customer was less than the established baseline during the first nine months of 2017, resulting in an increase in the receivable. This is primarily the result of warm weather experienced in the region. SOCIETAL BENEFIT COSTS (SBC) RECEIVABLE - This regulatory asset primarily represents the deferred expenses incurred under the New Jersey Clean Energy Program, which is a mechanism designed to recover costs associated with energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. Previous SBC rates produced recoveries greater than SBC costs, which resulted in the regulatory liability. The change from a liability at December 31, 2016 to an asset at September 30, 2017 is due to an increase in rates. SJI's and SJG's Regulatory Liabilities consisted of the following items (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Excess Plant Removal Costs $ 23,485 $ 28,226 Deferred Revenues - Net — 17,800 Societal Benefit Costs — 3,095 Total Regulatory Liabilities $ 23,485 $ 49,121 DEFERRED REVENUES - NET - See discussion under "Deferred Gas Costs - Net" above. SOCIETAL BENEFIT COSTS - See discussion under "Societal Benefit Costs Receivable" above.

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMEN

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS: For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , net periodic benefit cost related to the employee and officer pension and other postretirement benefit plans for SJI consisted of the following components (in thousands): Pension Benefits Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service Cost $ 1,247 $ 1,210 $ 3,741 $ 3,632 Interest Cost 2,943 3,031 8,829 9,094 Expected Return on Plan Assets (3,526 ) (3,377 ) (10,579 ) (10,131 ) Amortizations: Prior Service Cost 33 53 98 158 Actuarial Loss 2,570 2,349 7,712 7,046 Net Periodic Benefit Cost 3,267 3,266 9,801 9,799 Capitalized Benefit Cost (1,143 ) (1,251 ) (3,542 ) (3,651 ) Deferred Benefit Cost (95 ) (161 ) (395 ) (484 ) Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense $ 2,029 $ 1,854 $ 5,864 $ 5,664 Other Postretirement Benefits Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service Cost $ 228 $ 213 $ 683 $ 638 Interest Cost 604 654 1,813 1,961 Expected Return on Plan Assets (853 ) (776 ) (2,558 ) (2,328 ) Amortizations: Prior Service Cost (86 ) (86 ) (258 ) (258 ) Actuarial Loss 310 277 928 832 Net Periodic Benefit Cost 203 282 608 845 Capitalized Benefit Cost 66 (73 ) (35 ) (219 ) Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense $ 269 $ 209 $ 573 $ 626 The Pension Benefits Net Periodic Benefit Cost incurred by SJG was approximately $2.3 million and $2.4 million of the totals presented in the table above for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $7.1 million and $7.2 million of the totals presented in the table above for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Other Postretirement Benefits Net Periodic Benefit Cost incurred by SJG was approximately $(0.1) million and $0.1 million of the totals presented in the table above for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.4 million of the totals presented in the table above for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively . Capitalized benefit costs reflected in the table above relate to SJG’s construction program. Deferred benefit costs relate to SJG's deferral of incremental expense associated with the adoption of new mortality tables effective December 31, 2014, and subsequent adjustments thereto in both 2015 and 2016. Deferred benefit costs will be recovered through rates as part of SJG's base rate case settlement in October 2017 (see Note 7). SJI contributed $10.0 million to the pension plans, of which SJG contributed $8.0 million , in January 2017. No contributions were made to the pension plans by either SJI or SJG during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . SJI and SJG do not expect to make any additional contributions to the pension plans in 2017; however, changes in future investment performance and discount rates may ultimately result in a contribution. Payments related to the unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) are expected to be approximately $2.5 million in 2017 . Prior to the base rate case settlement in October 2017, SJG also had a regulatory obligation to contribute approximately $3.6 million annually to the other postretirement benefit plans’ trusts, less direct costs incurred. The recent rate case settlement (see Note 7) allows SJG to modify the future funding requirement level up to a limit that represents full funding of its obligation and to the maximum tax deduction allowed. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for additional information related to SJI’s pension and other postretirement benefits and Note 11 to the Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJG’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for additional information related to SJG’s pension and other postretirement benefits.

LINES OF CREDIT

LINES OF CREDIT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
LINES OF CREDIT	LINES OF CREDIT: Credit facilities and available liquidity as of September 30, 2017 were as follows (in thousands): Company Total Facility Usage Available Liquidity Expiration Date SJI: Syndicated Revolving Credit Facility $ 400,000 $ 240,100 (A) $ 159,900 August 2022 (C) Revolving Credit Facility 50,000 50,000 — September 2019 (D) Total SJI 450,000 290,100 159,900 SJG: Commercial Paper Program/Revolving Credit Facility 200,000 800 (B) 199,200 August 2022 (E) Uncommitted Bank Line 10,000 — 10,000 August 2018 Total SJG 210,000 800 209,200 Total $ 660,000 $ 290,900 $ 369,100 (A) Includes letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $10.0 million . (B) Includes letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $0.8 million . (C) In August 2017, SJI entered into a five year, unsecured $400.0 million revolving credit agreement which is syndicated among several banks. In connection with this agreement, SJI terminated its previous $400.0 million revolving credit agreement. (D) In September 2017, SJI amended an unsecured revolving credit facility for two years. The facility now terminates in September 2019. (E) In August 2017, SJG entered into a five year, unsecured $200.0 million revolving credit agreement which is syndicated among several banks. In connection with this agreement, SJG terminated its previous $200.0 million revolving credit agreement. 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. SJI's weighted average interest rate on these borrowings, which changes daily, was 2.26% and 1.28% at September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. SJG did not have any outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2017. SJG's weighted average interest rate on these borrowings, which changes daily, was 0.76% at September 30, 2016 . SJI's average borrowings outstanding under these credit facilities (which includes SJG), not including letters of credit, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $260.9 million and $336.5 million , respectively. The maximum amounts outstanding under these credit facilities, not including letters of credit, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $373.8 million and $467.7 million , respectively. SJG's average borrowings outstanding under its credit facilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $17.0 million and $64.5 million , respectively. The maximum amounts outstanding under its credit facilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $110.1 million and $141.7 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 0.70 to 1, measured at the end of each fiscal quarter. SJI and SJG were in compliance with this covenant as of September 30, 2017 . However, several bank facilities for both SJI and SJG , as well as Senior Unsecured Notes issued by SJI, still 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. As a result, until these other agreements are amended, both SJG and SJI must ensure that the ratio of indebtedness to total capitalization (as defined in the respective credit agreements) does not exceed 0.65 to 1, as measured at the end of each fiscal quarter. SJG has 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 its $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 .

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: GUARANTEES — As of September 30, 2017 , SJI had issued $6.0 million of parental guarantees on behalf of an unconsolidated subsidiary. These guarantees generally expire within the next two years and were issued to enable the subsidiary to market retail natural gas. GAS SUPPLY CONTRACTS - In the normal course of business, SJG and SJRG have entered into long-term contracts for natural gas supplies, firm transportation and gas storage service. The transportation and storage service agreements with interstate pipeline suppliers were made under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved tariffs. SJG's cumulative obligation for gas supply-related demand charges and reservation fees paid to suppliers for these services averages approximately $6.1 million per month and is recovered on a current basis through the BGSS. SJRG's cumulative obligation for demand charges and reservation fees paid to suppliers for these services is approximately $0.5 million per month. SJRG has also committed to purchase a minimum of 635,000 dts/d and up to 1,029,000 dts/d of natural gas, from various suppliers, for terms ranging from 3 to 10 years at index-based prices. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS — Unionized personnel represent approximately 40% and 58% of SJI's and SJG's workforce at September 30, 2017 , respectively. SJI 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 employees represented by the IBEW operate under a collective bargaining agreement that runs through February 2018. SJG's remaining unionized employees are represented by the IAM and operate under a collective bargaining agreement that runs through August 2021. STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT — As of September 30, 2017 , SJI provided $10.0 million of standby letters of credit through its revolving credit facility to enable SJE to market retail electricity and for various construction and operating activities. SJG provided a $0.8 million letter of credit under its revolving credit facility to support the remediation of environmental conditions at certain locations in SJG's service territory. SJG has provided $25.2 million of additional letters of credit under a separate facility 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. In May 2017, Marina redeemed its variable-rate demand bonds (see Note 14) and the related letters of credit reimbursement agreements, which totaled $62.3 million , were terminated. PENDING LITIGATION — SJI and SJG are subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of business and other legal proceedings. SJI has been named in, among other actions, certain gas supply and capacity management contract disputes and certain product liability claims related to our former sand mining subsidiary. SJI is currently involved in a pricing dispute related to two long-term gas supply contracts. On May 8, 2017, a jury from the United States District Court for the District of Colorado returned a verdict in favor of the supplier. On July 21, 2017, the Court entered Final Judgment against SJG and SJRG. As a result of this ruling, SJG and SJRG have accrued $19.2 million and $50.5 million , respectively, through September 30, 2017 . We believe that the amount to be paid by SJG reflects a gas cost that ultimately will be recovered from SJG’s customers through adjusted rates. As such, this amount was recorded as both an Accounts Payable and a reduction of Regulatory Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets of both SJI and SJG as of September 30, 2017 . The amount associated with SJRG was also recorded as an Accounts Payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets of SJI as of September 30, 2017 , with charges of $5.5 million and $46.5 million to Cost of Sales - Nonutility on the condensed consolidated statements of income of SJI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , respectively. SJI also recorded $4.0 million to Interest Charges on the condensed consolidated statements of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 . SJI intends to appeal this judgment. During the pendency of the appeal, SJI continues to dispute the supplier invoices received, and has created a reserve to reflect the difference between the invoiced and paid amounts. SJI was involved in a dispute in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia related to a three -year capacity management contract with a counterparty. The counterparty claimed that it was owed approximately $13.3 million , plus interest, from SJRG under a sharing credit within the contract. SJI settled with the counterparty for $9.5 million , which amount was recorded to Cost of Sales - Nonutility on the condensed consolidated statements of income during the second quarter of 2017. SJI made payment in September 2017. Liabilities related to claims are accrued when the amount or range of amounts of probable settlement costs or other charges for these claims can be reasonably estimated. For matters other than the pricing dispute related to two long-term gas supply contracts, as well as the dispute related to a three -year capacity management contract, both noted above, SJI has accrued approximately $3.0 million and $ 3.1 million related to all claims in the aggregate as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, of which SJG has accrued approximately $0.7 million and $0.6 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. Although SJI and SJG do not presently believe that these matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, given the inherent uncertainties in such situations, SJI and SJG can provide no assurance regarding the outcome of litigation. ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS — SJG 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. Other than the changes discussed in Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, there have been no changes to the status of SJI’s environmental remediation efforts since December 31, 2016 , as described in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and in Note 12 to the Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS: Certain SJI subsidiaries, including SJG, 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. SJI and SJG use 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 September 30, 2017 , SJI had outstanding derivative contracts as follows (1 MMdts = one million decatherms; 1 MMmWh = one million megawatt hours): SJI Consolidated SJG Derivative contracts intended to limit exposure to market risk to: Expected future purchases of natural gas (in MMdts) 51.7 9.3 Expected future sales of natural gas (in MMdts) 44.9 0.3 Expected future purchases of electricity (in MMmWh) 2.6 — Expected future sales of electricity (in MMmWh) 1.9 — Basis and Index related net purchase (sales) contracts (in MMdts) 73.8 0.8 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 of SJI and SJG. For SJE and SJRG contracts, the net unrealized pre-tax gains (losses) for these energy-related commodity contracts are included with realized gains (losses) in Operating Revenues – Nonutility on the condensed consolidated statements of income for SJI. These (losses) gains were $(4.6) million and $9.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively , and $2.2 million and $6.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively . For SJG's contracts, the costs or benefits are recoverable through the BGSS clause, subject to BPU approval. As a result, the net unrealized pre-tax gains and losses for these energy-related commodity contracts are included with realized gains and losses in Regulatory Assets or Regulatory Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets of both SJI and SJG. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , SJG had $3.1 million and $4.4 million of unrealized gains, respectively, along with a net realized gain of $1.0 million and a net realized loss of $2.8 million , respectively, included in its BGSS related to energy-related commodity contracts. SJI, including SJG, 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. These interest rate derivatives, some of which had been designated as hedging instruments under GAAP, are measured at fair value and recorded in Derivatives - Other on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Hedge accounting has been discontinued prospectively for these derivatives. As a result, any unrealized gains and losses on these derivatives, that were previously included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, are being recorded in earnings over the remaining life of the derivative. In March 2017, SJI entered into a new interest rate derivative and amended the existing interest rate derivative linked to unrealized losses previously recorded in AOCL. SJI reclassified $2.4 million of pre-tax unrealized loss in AOCL to Interest Charges on the condensed consolidated statements of income as a result of the prior hedged transactions being deemed probable of not occurring. For SJG interest rate derivatives, the fair value represents the amount SJG would have to pay the counterparty to terminate these contracts as of those dates. SJG previously used derivative transactions known as “Treasury Locks” to hedge against the impact on its cash flows of possible interest rate increases on debt issued in September 2005. The initial $1.4 million cost of the Treasury Locks has been included in AOCL and is being amortized over the 30 -year life of the associated debt issue. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the unamortized balance was approximately $0.8 million and $0.9 million , respectively. As of September 30, 2017 , SJI’s active interest rate swaps were as follows: Notional Amount Fixed Interest Rate Start Date Maturity Obligor $ 20,000,000 3.049% 3/15/2017 3/15/2027 SJI $ 20,000,000 3.049% 3/15/2017 3/15/2027 SJI $ 10,000,000 3.049% 3/15/2017 3/15/2027 SJI $ 12,500,000 3.530% 12/1/2006 2/1/2036 SJG $ 12,500,000 3.430% 12/1/2006 2/1/2036 SJG The unrealized gains and losses on interest rate derivatives that are not designated as cash flow hedges are included in Interest Charges in the condensed consolidated statements of income. However, for selected interest rate derivatives at SJG, management believes that, subject to BPU approval, the market value upon termination can be recovered in rates and, therefore, these unrealized losses have been included in Other Regulatory Assets in the condensed balance sheets. The fair values of all derivative instruments, as reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , are as follows (in thousands): SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Energy-related commodity contracts: Derivatives - Energy Related - Current $ 42,068 $ 26,910 $ 72,391 $ 60,082 Derivatives - Energy Related - Non-Current 7,650 4,359 8,502 4,540 Interest rate contracts: Derivatives - Other - Current — 798 — 681 Derivatives - Other - Noncurrent — 10,479 — 9,349 Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP $ 49,718 $ 42,546 $ 80,893 $ 74,652 Total Derivatives $ 49,718 $ 42,546 $ 80,893 $ 74,652 SJG: Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Energy-related commodity contracts: Derivatives – Energy Related – Current $ 7,608 $ 4,467 $ 5,434 $ 1,372 Derivatives – Energy Related – Non-Current 58 69 373 — Interest rate contracts: Derivatives – Other Current — 398 — 386 Derivatives – Other Noncurrent — 6,881 — 6,979 Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP $ 7,666 $ 11,815 $ 5,807 $ 8,737 Total Derivatives $ 7,666 $ 11,815 $ 5,807 $ 8,737 SJI and SJG enter into derivative contracts with counterparties, some of which are subject to master netting arrangements, which allow net settlements under certain conditions. These derivatives are presented at gross fair values on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , information related to these offsetting arrangements were as follows (in thousands): As of September 30, 2017 Description Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities Gross amount offset in the balance sheet Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet Net amount Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Posted SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Derivatives - Energy Related Assets $ 49,718 $ — $ 49,718 $ (18,251 ) (A) $ — $ 31,467 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities $ (31,269 ) $ — $ (31,269 ) $ 18,251 (B) $ — $ (13,018 ) Derivatives - Other $ (11,277 ) $ — $ (11,277 ) $ — $ — $ (11,277 ) SJG: Derivatives - Energy Related Assets $ 7,666 $ — $ 7,666 $ (475 ) (A) $ — $ 7,191 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities $ (4,536 ) $ — $ (4,536 ) $ 475 (B) $ — $ (4,061 ) Derivatives - Other $ (7,279 ) $ — $ (7,279 ) $ — $ — $ (7,279 ) As of December 31, 2016 Description Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities Gross amount offset in the balance sheet Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet Net amount Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Posted SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Derivatives - Energy Related Assets $ 80,893 $ — $ 80,893 $ (38,809 ) (A) $ (3,474 ) $ 38,610 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities $ (64,622 ) $ — $ (64,622 ) $ 38,809 (B) $ — $ (25,813 ) Derivatives - Other $ (10,030 ) $ — $ (10,030 ) $ — $ — $ (10,030 ) SJG: Derivatives - Energy Related Assets $ 5,807 $ — $ 5,807 $ (6 ) (A) $ (3,587 ) $ 2,214 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities $ (1,372 ) $ — $ (1,372 ) $ 6 (B) $ — $ (1,366 ) Derivatives - Other $ (7,365 ) $ — $ (7,365 ) $ — $ — $ (7,365 ) (A) The balances at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were related to derivative liabilities which can be net settled against derivative assets. (B) The balances at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were related to derivative assets which can be net settled against derivative liabilities. The effect of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships under GAAP 2017 2016 2017 2016 SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Interest Rate Contracts: Losses reclassified from AOCL into income (a) $ (12 ) $ (82 ) $ (2,511 ) $ (250 ) SJG: Interest Rate Contracts: Losses reclassified from AOCL into income (a) $ (12 ) $ (12 ) (36 ) (36 ) (a) Included in Interest Charges Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under GAAP 2017 2016 2017 2016 SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): (Losses) Gains on energy-related commodity contracts (a) $ (4,632 ) $ 9,003 $ 2,200 $ 6,287 Gains (Losses) on interest rate contracts (b) 52 218 (1,332 ) (438 ) Total $ (4,580 ) $ 9,221 $ 868 $ 5,849 (a) Included in Operating Revenues - Nonutility (b) Included in Interest Charges Certain of SJI’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 SJI. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a liability position on September 30, 2017 , is $3.8 million . If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements were triggered on September 30, 2017 , SJI would have been required to settle the instruments immediately or post collateral to its counterparties of approximately $2.4 million after offsetting asset positions with the same counterparties under master netting arrangements.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES	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 September 30, 2017 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Assets Available-for-Sale Securities (A) $ 32 $ 32 $ — $ — Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B) 49,718 5,950 19,296 24,472 $ 49,750 $ 5,982 $ 19,296 $ 24,472 SJG: Assets Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B) $ 7,666 $ 525 $ 223 $ 6,918 $ 7,666 $ 525 $ 223 $ 6,918 SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Liabilities Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B) $ 31,269 $ 2,690 $ 17,873 $ 10,706 Derivatives – Other (C) 11,277 — 11,277 — $ 42,546 $ 2,690 $ 29,150 $ 10,706 SJG: Liabilities Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B) $ 4,536 $ 475 $ 2,267 $ 1,794 Derivatives – Other (C) 7,279 — 7,279 — $ 11,815 $ 475 $ 9,546 $ 1,794 As of December 31, 2016 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Assets Available-for-Sale Securities (A) $ 32 $ 32 $ — $ — Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B) 80,893 33,994 11,814 35,085 $ 80,925 $ 34,026 $ 11,814 $ 35,085 SJG: Assets Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B) $ 5,807 $ 4,767 $ — $ 1,040 $ 5,807 $ 4,767 $ — $ 1,040 SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Liabilities Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B) $ 64,622 $ 16,502 $ 22,070 $ 26,050 Derivatives – Other (C) 10,030 — 10,030 — $ 74,652 $ 16,502 $ 32,100 $ 26,050 SJG: Liabilities Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B) $ 1,372 $ 6 $ 1,252 $ 114 Derivatives – Other (C) 7,365 — 7,365 — $ 8,737 $ 6 $ 8,617 $ 114 (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. (B) 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 forward contracts, 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 consist of 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 consist of 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. (C) 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. The following table provides quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs in Level 3 fair value measurements (in thousands): SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Type Fair Value at September 30, 2017 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input Range [Weighted Average] Assets Liabilities Forward Contract - Natural Gas $17,545 $7,587 Discounted Cash Flow Forward price (per dt) $1.05 - $8.37 [$2.87] (A) Forward Contract - Electric $6,927 $3,119 Discounted Cash Flow Fixed electric load profile (on-peak) 36.36% - 100.00% [52.98%] (B) Fixed electric load profile (off-peak) 0.00% - 63.64% [47.02%] (B) Type Fair Value at December 31, 2016 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input Range [Weighted Average] Assets Liabilities Forward Contract - Natural Gas $23,301 $18,109 Discounted Cash Flow Forward price (per dt) $1.03 - $11.33 [$2.71] (A) Forward Contract - Electric $11,784 $7,941 Discounted Cash Flow Fixed electric load profile (on-peak) 21.43% - 100.00% [55.14%] (B) Fixed electric load profile (off-peak) 0.00% - 78.57% [44.86%] (B) SJG: Type Fair Value at September 30, 2017 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input Range Assets Liabilities Forward Contract - Natural Gas $ 6,918 $ 1,794 Discounted Cash Flow Forward price (per dt) $2.37- $6.42 [$4.60] (A) Type Fair Value at December 31, 2016 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input Range Assets Liabilities Forward Contract - Natural Gas $ 1,040 $ 114 Discounted Cash Flow Forward price (per dt) $3.25 - $6.33 [$5.09] (A) (A) Represents the range, along with the weighted average, of forward prices for the sale and purchase of natural gas. (B) Represents the range, along with the weighted average, of the percentage of contracted usage that is loaded during on-peak hours versus off-peak. The changes in fair value measurements of Derivatives – Energy Related Assets and Liabilities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Balance at beginning of period $ 17,401 $ 9,035 Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net 1,352 8,346 Transfers out of Level 3 (A) (206 ) (954 ) Settlements (4,781 ) (2,661 ) Balance at end of period $ 13,766 $ 13,766 SJG: Balance at beginning of period $ 6,933 $ 926 Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net (1,603 ) 5,330 Transfers out of Level 3 (A) (206 ) (206 ) Settlements — (926 ) Balance at end of period $ 5,124 $ 5,124 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Balance at beginning of period $ (2,096 ) $ (632 ) Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net 10,404 8,346 Settlements (423 ) 171 Balance at end of period $ 7,885 $ 7,885 SJG: Balance at beginning of period $ (224 ) $ 183 Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net 730 506 Settlements — (183 ) Balance at end of period $ 506 $ 506 (A) 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , $0.2 million and $1.0 million of SJI's, and $0.2 million (for both periods) of SJG's, net derivative assets were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2, due to increased observability of market data. Total gains included in earnings for SJI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 that are attributable to the change in unrealized gains relating to those assets and liabilities included in Level 3 still held as of September 30, 2017 , are $1.4 million and $8.3 million , respectively. These gains are included in Operating Revenues-Nonutility on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

LONG-TERM DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT: In January 2017, SJG issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of Medium Term Notes (MTNs), Series E, 2017, due January 2047, with principal payments beginning in 2025. The MTNs bear interest at an annual rate of 3.0% , payable semiannually. Proceeds were used to pay down SJG's $200.0 million multiple-draw term facility which was set to expire in June 2017. In January 2017, SJG entered into an unsecured, $200.0 million multiple-draw term loan credit agreement (Credit Agreement), which is syndicated among seven banks. Term loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a variable base rate or a variable LIBOR rate, at SJG's election. Under the Credit Agreement, SJG can borrow up to an aggregate of $200.0 million until July 2018, of which SJG borrowed $196.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 . All loans under the Credit Agreement become due in January 2019. In May 2017, Marina voluntarily redeemed bonds issued by NJEDA in an aggregate principal amount of $61.4 million , as follows: Thermal Energy Facilities Revenue Bonds (Marina Energy LLC - 2001 Project) Series A ( $20.0 million ); Thermal Energy Facilities Federally Taxable Revenue Bonds (Marina Energy LLC - 2001 Project) Series B ( $25.0 million ); and Thermal Energy Facilities Revenue Bonds (Marina Energy LLC Project) Series 2006A ( $16.4 million ). In connection with the redemptions, separate related letter of credit reimbursement agreements were terminated (see Note 11). In June 2017, SJI redeemed at maturity $16.0 million of 2.71% Senior Unsecured Notes. In July 2017, SJG redeemed at maturity $15.0 million of 4.657% MTNs. In August 2017, SJI entered into a note purchase agreement that provides for the issuance of an aggregate of $100.0 million of MTNs. Pursuant to the agreement, SJI issued $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of MTNs, consisting of (a) $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.22% Senior Notes, Series 2017A-1, due August 2024, and (b) $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.46% Senior Notes, Series 2017B-1, due August 2027. The agreement also provides for the issuance of (a) $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.32% Senior Notes, Series 2017A-2, due January 2025 and (b) $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.56% Senior Notes, Series 2017B-2, due January 2028, that SJI anticipates issuing in January 2018. SJI and SJG did not issue or retire any other long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 .

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS: The following table summarizes the changes in SJI's accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands): Postretirement Liability Adjustment Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives-Other Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available-for-Sale Securities Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of Affiliated Companies Total Balance at July 1, 2017 (a) $ (25,342 ) $ (410 ) $ (10 ) $ (97 ) $ (25,859 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — — — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCL (b) — 7 — — 7 Net current period other comprehensive income — 7 — — 7 Balance at September 30, 2017 (a) $ (25,342 ) $ (403 ) $ (10 ) $ (97 ) $ (25,852 ) Postretirement Liability Adjustment Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives-Other Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available-for-Sale Securities Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of Affiliated Companies Total Balance at January 1, 2017 (a) $ (25,342 ) $ (1,932 ) $ (10 ) $ (97 ) $ (27,381 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — — — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCL (b) — 1,529 — — 1,529 Net current period other comprehensive income — 1,529 — — 1,529 Balance at September 30, 2017 (a) $ (25,342 ) $ (403 ) $ (10 ) $ (97 ) $ (25,852 ) (a) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40% . (b) See table below. The following table provides details about reclassifications out of SJI's AOCL for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands): Components of AOCL Amounts Reclassified from AOCL Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Unrealized Loss on Derivatives-Other - interest rate contracts designated as cash flow hedges $ 12 $ 2,511 Interest Charges Income Taxes (5 ) (982 ) Income Taxes (a) Losses from reclassifications for the period net of tax $ 7 $ 1,529 (a) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40% . The following table summarizes the changes in SJG's AOCL for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands): Postretirement Liability Adjustment Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives-Other Total Balance at July 1, 2017 (a) $ (14,417 ) $ (503 ) $ (14,920 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCL (b) — 7 7 Net current period other comprehensive income — 7 7 Balance at September 30, 2017 (a) $ (14,417 ) $ (496 ) $ (14,913 ) Postretirement Liability Adjustment Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives-Other Total Balance at January 1, 2017 (a) $ (14,417 ) $ (517 ) $ (14,934 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCL (b) — 21 21 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) — 21 21 Balance at September 30, 2017 (a) $ (14,417 ) $ (496 ) $ (14,913 ) (a) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40% . (b) See table below. The reclassifications out of SJG's AOCL during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are as follows (in thousands): Components of AOCL Amounts Reclassified from AOCL Affected Line Item in the Condensed Statements of Income Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Unrealized Loss in on Derivatives - Other - Interest Rate Contracts designated as cash flow hedges $ 12 $ 36 Interest Charges Income Taxes (5 ) (15 ) Income Taxes (a) Losses from reclassifications for the period net of tax $ 7 $ 21 (a) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40% .

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

SUBSEQUENT EVENT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENT	SUBSEQUENT EVENT: In October 2017, SJI announced that it has entered into agreements to acquire the assets of Elizabethtown Gas and Elkton Gas from Pivotal Utility Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Southern Company Gas. SJI is acquiring both companies for total consideration of $1.7 billion . The transaction is expected to close in mid-2018, and is subject to approvals by the BPU and the Maryland Public Service Commission, with limited approvals by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Federal Communications Commission, as well as certain anti-trust filings and approvals.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN23

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
GENERAL	GENERAL - South Jersey Industries, Inc. (SJI or the Company) currently provides a variety of energy-related products and services primarily through the following wholly-owned 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 Energy Company (SJE) acquires and markets natural gas and electricity to retail end users and provides total energy management services to commercial, industrial and residential customers. ▪ South Jersey Resources Group, LLC (SJRG) markets natural gas storage, commodity and transportation assets along with fuel management services on a wholesale basis in the mid-Atlantic, Appalachian and southern states. ▪ South Jersey Exploration, LLC (SJEX) owns oil, gas and mineral rights in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania. ▪ Marina Energy, LLC (Marina) develops and operates on-site energy-related projects. The significant wholly-owned subsidiaries of Marina are: • ACB Energy Partners, LLC (ACB) owns and operates a natural gas fueled combined heating, cooling and power facility located in Atlantic City, New Jersey. • AC Landfill Energy, LLC (ACLE), BC Landfill Energy, LLC (BCLE), SC Landfill Energy, LLC (SCLE) and SX Landfill Energy, LLC (SXLE) own and operate landfill gas-fired electric production facilities in Atlantic, Burlington, Salem and Sussex Counties located in New Jersey. • MCS Energy Partners, LLC (MCS), NBS Energy Partners, LLC (NBS) and SBS Energy Partners, LLC (SBS) own and operate solar-generation sites located in New Jersey. ▪ South Jersey Energy Service Plus, LLC (SJESP) serviced residential and small commercial HVAC systems, installed small commercial HVAC systems, provided plumbing services and serviced appliances under warranty via a subcontractor arrangement as well as on a time and materials basis. On September 1, 2017, SJESP sold certain assets of its residential and small commercial HVAC and plumbing business to a third party. SJESP will receive commissions paid on service contracts from the third party on a go forward basis. This transaction did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements. ▪ SJI Midstream, LLC (Midstream) invests in infrastructure and other midstream projects, including a current project to build an approximately 118 -mile natural gas pipeline in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION - SJI's condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SJI, its wholly-owned subsidiaries (including SJG) and subsidiaries in which SJI has a controlling interest. SJI eliminates all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. In management’s opinion, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of SJI and SJG reflect all normal and recurring adjustments needed to fairly present their respective financial positions, operating results and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented. SJI’s and SJG'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 of SJI and SJG 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 and SJG's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a more complete discussion of the accounting policies and certain other information.
RECLASSIFICATIONS	Certain reclassifications have been made to SJI's and SJG's prior period condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to the current period presentation. Restricted cash is now combined with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period balances on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows of SJI, as well as the condensed statements of cash flows for SJG, to conform to ASU 2016-18, which is described below under "New Accounting Pronouncements." This combination of restricted cash and cash and cash equivalents caused Cash Flows from Investing Activities for both SJI and SJG to be adjusted in order to remove items relating to capital expenditures and proceeds from restricted investments (SJI only), as well as the sale of restricted investments in a margin account (SJI and SJG). Certain reclassifications have been made to SJI's prior period condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to the current period presentation. Cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes is now classified as a financing activity in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to ASU 2016-09, which is described below under "New Accounting Pronouncements." This caused SJI's prior period Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities to increase by $0.4 million and Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities to decrease by the same amount. Adoption of this guidance did not effect SJG's condensed statements of cash flows.
REVENUE-BASED TAXES	REVENUE-BASED TAXES - SJG collects certain revenue-based energy taxes from its customers. Such taxes include the New Jersey State Sales Tax 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.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS	IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS - Long-lived assets that are held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate carrying values may not be recoverable. Such reviews are performed in accordance with ASC 360. An impairment loss is indicated if the total future estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from an asset are less than its carrying value. An impairment charge is measured by the difference between an asset's carrying amount and fair value with the difference recorded within Operating Expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of income. Fair values can be determined by a variety of valuation methods, including third-party appraisals, sales prices of similar assets, and present value techniques.
GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT	GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT - SJI 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.
TREASURY STOCK	TREASURY STOCK - SJI uses the par value method of accounting for treasury stock.
INCOME TAXES	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 Marina 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.
GOODWILL	GOODWILL - Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration paid over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead is subject to impairment testing on an annual basis, and between annual tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying amount. No such events have occurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 .
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	EW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS - Other than as described below, no new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during 2017 or 2016 had, or are expected to have, a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in FASB ASC 605, Revenue Recognition , and in most industry-specific topics. The new guidance identifies how and when entities should recognize revenue. The new rules establish a core principle requiring the recognition of revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount reflecting the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for such goods or services. In connection with this new standard, the FASB has issued several amendments to ASU 2014-09, as follows: • In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) . This standard improves the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations and whether an entity reports revenue on a gross or net basis. • In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing . This standard clarifies identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance. • In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients . This standard provides additional guidance on (a) the objective of the collectibility criterion, (b) the presentation of sales tax collected from customers, (c) the measurement date of non-cash consideration received, (d) practical expedients in respect of contract modifications and completed contracts at transition, and (e) disclosure of the effects of the accounting change in the period of adoption. • In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which amends certain narrow aspects of the guidance, including the disclosure of remaining performance obligations and prior-period performance obligations, as well as other amendments to the guidance on loan guarantee fees, contract costs, refund liabilities, advertising costs and the clarification of certain examples. The new guidance in ASU 2014-09, as well as all amendments discussed above, is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Management formed an implementation team that evaluated the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. This evaluation included assessing the impact of the guidance on our contracts in all our revenue streams by reviewing current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the new requirements to our revenue contracts. We expect that the majority of SJI and SJG revenue streams will be in scope of the new guidance, which includes SJG’s regulated revenue under tariffs, for which no change in current revenue recognition practices is expected. Revenues from contracts that SJI and SJG have with customers are currently recorded as gas or electricity is delivered to the customer, which is consistent with the new guidance under ASC 606. As a result, based on the review of customer contracts to date, SJI is not anticipating this guidance to have a material impact to SJI's or SJG's statements of consolidated income, cash flows or consolidated balance sheets upon adoption. The ASU does include expanded disclosure requirements, which we will include for periods beginning after December 15, 2017 as per the ASU. We do not anticipate any significant changes to our business processes, systems or internal controls over financial reporting needed to support recognition and disclosure under the new guidance. We are continuing with our implementation plan and expect to transition to the new guidance beginning in 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities , which enhances the reporting model for financial instruments and includes amendments to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The standard is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for only certain portions of the new guidance. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , which establishes a new lease accounting model for lessees. The new standard requires substantially all leases be recognized by lessees on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability, including leases currently accounted for as operating leases. The new standard also will result in enhanced quantitative and qualitative disclosures, including significant judgments made by management, to provide greater insight into the extent of revenue and expense recognized and expected to be recognized from existing leases. The accounting for leases by the lessor remains relatively the same. The standard is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Management has formed an implementation team that is inventorying leases and evaluating the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on SJI's and SJG's financial statements. Consistent with the requirements of the standard, SJI and SJG will both transition to the new guidance using the modified retrospective approach. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting , which simplifies various aspects of accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The standard was effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statement results of SJI or SJG; however, cash flow presentation was modified for SJI to conform to this guidance, as described under “Basis of Presentation” above. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory . This standard requires recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of an intra-entity asset transfer, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs, as opposed to current GAAP, which requires companies to defer the income tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The income tax effects of intra-entity inventory transfers will continue to be deferred until the inventory is sold. ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. The standard is required to be adopted on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash . This standard is intended to reduce diversity in practice in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. This ASU requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change in total cash and cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts. This ASU also requires a reconciliation between the total of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash presented on the statement of cash flows and the cash and cash equivalents balance presented on the balance sheets. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Both SJI and SJG early adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2017. Accordingly, cash flow presentations were modified for both entities to conform to this guidance, as described under “Basis of Presentation” above. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business . This new standard provides amended and clarifying guidance regarding whether an integrated set of assets and activities acquired is deemed the acquisition of a business (and, thus, accounted for as a business combination) or the acquisition of assets. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment . The update simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount. The amendments in this update are effective for annual and any interim impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 31, 2019. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This ASU is designed to improve guidance related to the presentation of defined benefit costs in the income statement. In particular, this ASU requires an employer to report the service cost component in the same line item(s) as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting . This ASU clarifies and reduces both (i) diversity in practice and (ii) cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, to a change to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment award. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities . This ASU is intended to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships so that it represents a more faithful portrayal of an entity’s risk management activities (i.e. to help financial statement users understand an entity’s risk exposures and the manner in which hedging strategies are used to manage them), as well as to further simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance in GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG.
FAIR VALUE	(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. (B) 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 forward contracts, 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 consist of 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 consist of 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. (C) 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. 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.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN (

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of the nonvested restricted stock awards outstanding and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the awards	The following table summarizes the nonvested restricted stock awards outstanding for SJI at September 30, 2017 and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the awards: Grants Shares Outstanding Fair Value Per Share Expected Volatility Risk-Free Interest Rate Officers & Key Employees - 2015 - TSR 33,449 $ 26.31 16.0 % 1.10 % 2015 - EGR, ROE, Time 61,357 $ 29.47 N/A N/A 2016 - TSR 65,544 $ 22.53 18.1 % 1.31 % 2016 - CEGR, Time 102,616 $ 23.52 N/A N/A 2017 - TSR 56,644 $ 32.17 20.8 % 1.47 % 2017 - CEGR, Time 109,107 $ 33.69 N/A N/A Directors - 2017 30,394 $ 33.64 N/A N/A
Summary of the total stock-based compensation cost for the period	The following table summarizes the total stock-based compensation cost to SJI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Officers & Key Employees $ 1,087 $ 781 $ 3,274 $ 2,396 Directors 256 210 767 630 Total Cost 1,343 991 4,041 3,026 Capitalized (96 ) (77 ) (288 ) (289 ) Net Expense $ 1,247 $ 914 $ 3,753 $ 2,737
Summary of information regarding restricted stock award activity during the period excluding accrued dividend equivalents	The following table summarizes information regarding restricted stock award activity for SJI during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , excluding accrued dividend equivalents: Officers &Other Key Employees Directors Weighted Average Fair Value Nonvested Shares Outstanding, January 1, 2017 295,515 35,197 $ 24.96 Granted 167,734 30,394 $ 33.24 Cancelled/Forfeited (3,891 ) — $ 28.70 Vested (30,641 ) (35,197 ) $ 24.75 Nonvested Shares Outstanding, September 30, 2017 428,717 30,394 $ 28.53

AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OP25

AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of operating results of discontinued operations	Summarized operating results of the discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , were (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Loss before Income Taxes: Sand Mining $ (17 ) $ (20 ) $ (49 ) $ (184 ) Fuel Oil (53 ) (24 ) (139 ) (86 ) Income Tax Benefits 25 15 66 94 Loss from Discontinued Operations — Net $ (45 ) $ (29 ) $ (122 ) $ (176 ) Earnings Per Common Share from Discontinued Operations — Net: Basic and Diluted $ — $ — $ — $ —
Summary of related party transactions	A summary of related party transactions involving SJG, excluding pass-through items, included in SJG's Operating Revenues were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Operating Revenues/Affiliates: SJRG $ 1,210 $ 977 $ 3,421 $ 5,399 Marina 72 65 219 229 Other 21 21 63 63 Total Operating Revenue/Affiliates $ 1,303 $ 1,063 $ 3,703 $ 5,691 Related-party transactions involving SJG, excluding pass-through items, included in SJG's Cost of Sales and Operating Expenses were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Costs of Sales/Affiliates (Excluding depreciation) SJRG $ 1,453 $ 490 $ 12,399 $ 9,993 Operations Expense/Affiliates: SJI $ 4,316 $ 4,632 $ 15,354 $ 14,502 Millennium 717 703 2,137 2,098 Other (173 ) (48 ) (253 ) (154 ) Total Operations Expense/Affiliates $ 4,860 $ 5,287 $ 17,238 $ 16,446

COMMON STOCK (Tables)

COMMON STOCK (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of common stock shares issued and outstanding	The following shares were issued and outstanding for SJI: 2017 Beginning Balance, January 1 79,478,055 New Issuances During the Period: Stock-Based Compensation Plan 71,025 Ending Balance, September 30 79,549,080

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Financial Instruments, Owned, at Fair Value [Abstract]
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows (in thousands): As of September 30, 2017 Balance Sheet Line Item SJI SJG Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 13,681 $ 404 Restricted Investments 5,645 891 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 19,326 $ 1,295 As of December 31, 2016 Balance Sheet Line Item SJI SJG Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 18,282 $ 1,359 Restricted Investments 13,628 32 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 31,910 $ 1,391
Reconciliation of restricted cash	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows (in thousands): As of September 30, 2017 Balance Sheet Line Item SJI SJG Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 13,681 $ 404 Restricted Investments 5,645 891 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 19,326 $ 1,295 As of December 31, 2016 Balance Sheet Line Item SJI SJG Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 18,282 $ 1,359 Restricted Investments 13,628 32 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 31,910 $ 1,391

SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS (Tables)

SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments of Business	Information about SJI’s operations in different reportable operating segments is presented below (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Operating Revenues: Gas Utility Operations $ 66,755 $ 62,025 $ 346,820 $ 318,553 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations 70,741 67,926 274,667 131,691 Retail Gas and Other Operations 18,156 11,865 76,793 63,903 Retail Electric Operations 45,316 51,585 136,893 134,141 Subtotal Energy Group 134,213 131,376 488,353 329,735 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production 29,942 31,034 74,689 70,398 Appliance Service Operations 1,552 1,812 5,190 5,750 Subtotal Energy Services 31,494 32,846 79,879 76,148 Corporate and Services 9,577 7,059 32,186 24,352 Subtotal 242,039 233,306 947,238 748,788 Intersegment Sales (14,912 ) (14,224 ) (49,908 ) (42,269 ) Total Operating Revenues $ 227,127 $ 219,082 $ 897,330 $ 706,519 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Operating (Loss) Income: Gas Utility Operations $ (4,628 ) $ (2,453 ) $ 84,174 $ 83,251 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations (11,346 ) 8,014 (41,163 ) 15,109 Retail Gas and Other Operations (574 ) (2,520 ) (3,801 ) 2,971 Retail Electric Operations (344 ) 1,223 2,117 4,085 Subtotal Energy Group (12,264 ) 6,717 (42,847 ) 22,165 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production (38,351 ) 8,077 (35,216 ) 12,549 Appliance Service Operations (392 ) 277 (398 ) 579 Subtotal Energy Services (38,743 ) 8,354 (35,614 ) 13,128 Corporate and Services 380 (28 ) 2,154 313 Total Operating (Loss) Income $ (55,255 ) $ 12,590 $ 7,867 $ 118,857 Depreciation and Amortization: Gas Utility Operations $ 17,751 $ 15,954 $ 52,559 $ 47,368 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations 31 39 92 447 Retail Gas and Other Operations 80 85 247 253 Subtotal Energy Group 111 124 339 700 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production 11,731 11,274 34,998 32,088 Appliance Service Operations 43 73 153 248 Subtotal Energy Services 11,774 11,347 35,151 32,336 Corporate and Services 448 373 1,267 856 Total Depreciation and Amortization $ 30,084 $ 27,798 $ 89,316 $ 81,260 Interest Charges: Gas Utility Operations $ 6,437 $ 4,058 $ 18,392 $ 13,397 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations (162 ) — 3,031 32 Retail Gas and Other Operations 55 86 204 296 Subtotal Energy Group (107 ) 86 3,235 328 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production 3,549 3,032 13,240 9,936 Corporate and Services 5,055 2,896 15,237 9,206 Subtotal 14,934 10,072 50,104 32,867 Intersegment Borrowings (4,367 ) (2,717 ) (11,813 ) (8,123 ) Total Interest Charges $ 10,567 $ 7,355 $ 38,291 $ 24,744 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Income Taxes: Gas Utility Operations $ (3,688 ) $ (2,007 ) $ 27,654 $ 26,812 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations (4,281 ) 3,125 (16,984 ) 5,604 Retail Gas and Other Operations (225 ) (1,062 ) (1,265 ) 1,220 Retail Electric Operations (141 ) 499 866 1,669 Subtotal Energy Group (4,647 ) 2,562 (17,383 ) 8,493 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production (16,270 ) 2,118 (19,120 ) (784 ) Appliance Service Operations (220 ) 102 (201 ) 254 Subtotal Energy Services (16,490 ) 2,220 (19,321 ) (530 ) Corporate and Services 60 32 611 110 Total Income Taxes $ (24,765 ) $ 2,807 $ (8,439 ) $ 34,885 Property Additions: Gas Utility Operations $ 59,179 $ 53,623 $ 187,587 $ 155,126 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations — — 5 7 Retail Gas and Other Operations 204 455 632 1,180 Subtotal Energy Group 204 455 637 1,187 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production 1,633 9,152 11,899 14,468 Appliance Service Operations — 73 260 425 Subtotal Energy Services 1,633 9,225 12,159 14,893 Corporate and Services 105 174 1,191 901 Total Property Additions $ 61,121 $ 63,477 $ 201,574 $ 172,107 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Identifiable Assets: Gas Utility Operations $ 2,736,775 $ 2,551,923 Energy Group: Wholesale Energy Operations 153,933 233,019 Retail Gas and Other Operations 35,487 52,729 Retail Electric Operations 32,103 41,280 Subtotal Energy Group 221,523 327,028 Energy Services: On-Site Energy Production 662,087 767,710 Appliance Service Operations 1,720 2,879 Subtotal Energy Services 663,807 770,589 Discontinued Operations 1,769 1,756 Corporate and Services 781,238 649,795 Intersegment Assets (665,046 ) (570,524 ) Total Identifiable Assets $ 3,740,066 $ 3,730,567

REGULATORY ASSETS AND REGULAT29

REGULATORY ASSETS AND REGULATORY LIABILITIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets	SJI's and SJG's Regulatory Assets consisted of the following items (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Environmental Remediation Costs: Expended - Net $ 93,724 $ 71,997 Liability for Future Expenditures 176,805 153,047 Deferred Asset Retirement Obligation Costs 42,283 43,014 Deferred Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs 85,693 85,693 Deferred Gas Costs - Net 15,245 — Conservation Incentive Program Receivable 32,429 27,567 Societal Benefit Costs Receivable 906 — Deferred Interest Rate Contracts 7,280 7,365 Energy Efficiency Tracker 1,994 219 Pipeline Supplier Service Charges 862 2,122 Pipeline Integrity Cost 5,160 4,810 AFUDC - Equity Related Deferrals 12,331 12,434 Other Regulatory Assets 2,745 2,478 Total Regulatory Assets $ 477,457 $ 410,746
Schedule of Regulatory Liabilities	SJI's and SJG's Regulatory Liabilities consisted of the following items (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Excess Plant Removal Costs $ 23,485 $ 28,226 Deferred Revenues - Net — 17,800 Societal Benefit Costs — 3,095 Total Regulatory Liabilities $ 23,485 $ 49,121

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM30

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]
Schedule of defined benefit plans disclosures	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , net periodic benefit cost related to the employee and officer pension and other postretirement benefit plans for SJI consisted of the following components (in thousands): Pension Benefits Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service Cost $ 1,247 $ 1,210 $ 3,741 $ 3,632 Interest Cost 2,943 3,031 8,829 9,094 Expected Return on Plan Assets (3,526 ) (3,377 ) (10,579 ) (10,131 ) Amortizations: Prior Service Cost 33 53 98 158 Actuarial Loss 2,570 2,349 7,712 7,046 Net Periodic Benefit Cost 3,267 3,266 9,801 9,799 Capitalized Benefit Cost (1,143 ) (1,251 ) (3,542 ) (3,651 ) Deferred Benefit Cost (95 ) (161 ) (395 ) (484 ) Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense $ 2,029 $ 1,854 $ 5,864 $ 5,664 Other Postretirement Benefits Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service Cost $ 228 $ 213 $ 683 $ 638 Interest Cost 604 654 1,813 1,961 Expected Return on Plan Assets (853 ) (776 ) (2,558 ) (2,328 ) Amortizations: Prior Service Cost (86 ) (86 ) (258 ) (258 ) Actuarial Loss 310 277 928 832 Net Periodic Benefit Cost 203 282 608 845 Capitalized Benefit Cost 66 (73 ) (35 ) (219 ) Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense $ 269 $ 209 $ 573 $ 626

LINES OF CREDIT (Tables)

LINES OF CREDIT (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
Schedule of lines of credit	Credit facilities and available liquidity as of September 30, 2017 were as follows (in thousands): Company Total Facility Usage Available Liquidity Expiration Date SJI: Syndicated Revolving Credit Facility $ 400,000 $ 240,100 (A) $ 159,900 August 2022 (C) Revolving Credit Facility 50,000 50,000 — September 2019 (D) Total SJI 450,000 290,100 159,900 SJG: Commercial Paper Program/Revolving Credit Facility 200,000 800 (B) 199,200 August 2022 (E) Uncommitted Bank Line 10,000 — 10,000 August 2018 Total SJG 210,000 800 209,200 Total $ 660,000 $ 290,900 $ 369,100 (A) Includes letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $10.0 million . (B) Includes letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $0.8 million . (C) In August 2017, SJI entered into a five year, unsecured $400.0 million revolving credit agreement which is syndicated among several banks. In connection with this agreement, SJI terminated its previous $400.0 million revolving credit agreement. (D) In September 2017, SJI amended an unsecured revolving credit facility for two years. The facility now terminates in September 2019. (E) In August 2017, SJG entered into a five year, unsecured $200.0 million revolving credit agreement which is syndicated among several banks. In connection with this agreement, SJG terminated its previous $200.0 million revolving credit agreement.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Outstanding derivative contracts	As of September 30, 2017 , SJI had outstanding derivative contracts as follows (1 MMdts = one million decatherms; 1 MMmWh = one million megawatt hours): SJI Consolidated SJG Derivative contracts intended to limit exposure to market risk to: Expected future purchases of natural gas (in MMdts) 51.7 9.3 Expected future sales of natural gas (in MMdts) 44.9 0.3 Expected future purchases of electricity (in MMmWh) 2.6 — Expected future sales of electricity (in MMmWh) 1.9 — Basis and Index related net purchase (sales) contracts (in MMdts) 73.8 0.8
Schedule of notional amounts of outstanding derivative positions	As of September 30, 2017 , SJI’s active interest rate swaps were as follows: Notional Amount Fixed Interest Rate Start Date Maturity Obligor $ 20,000,000 3.049% 3/15/2017 3/15/2027 SJI $ 20,000,000 3.049% 3/15/2017 3/15/2027 SJI $ 10,000,000 3.049% 3/15/2017 3/15/2027 SJI $ 12,500,000 3.530% 12/1/2006 2/1/2036 SJG $ 12,500,000 3.430% 12/1/2006 2/1/2036 SJG
Fair value of derivative instruments	The fair values of all derivative instruments, as reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , are as follows (in thousands): SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Energy-related commodity contracts: Derivatives - Energy Related - Current $ 42,068 $ 26,910 $ 72,391 $ 60,082 Derivatives - Energy Related - Non-Current 7,650 4,359 8,502 4,540 Interest rate contracts: Derivatives - Other - Current — 798 — 681 Derivatives - Other - Noncurrent — 10,479 — 9,349 Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP $ 49,718 $ 42,546 $ 80,893 $ 74,652 Total Derivatives $ 49,718 $ 42,546 $ 80,893 $ 74,652 SJG: Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Energy-related commodity contracts: Derivatives – Energy Related – Current $ 7,608 $ 4,467 $ 5,434 $ 1,372 Derivatives – Energy Related – Non-Current 58 69 373 — Interest rate contracts: Derivatives – Other Current — 398 — 386 Derivatives – Other Noncurrent — 6,881 — 6,979 Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP $ 7,666 $ 11,815 $ 5,807 $ 8,737 Total Derivatives $ 7,666 $ 11,815 $ 5,807 $ 8,737
Offsetting assets	As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , information related to these offsetting arrangements were as follows (in thousands): As of September 30, 2017 Description Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities Gross amount offset in the balance sheet Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet Net amount Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Posted SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Derivatives - Energy Related Assets $ 49,718 $ — $ 49,718 $ (18,251 ) (A) $ — $ 31,467 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities $ (31,269 ) $ — $ (31,269 ) $ 18,251 (B) $ — $ (13,018 ) Derivatives - Other $ (11,277 ) $ — $ (11,277 ) $ — $ — $ (11,277 ) SJG: Derivatives - Energy Related Assets $ 7,666 $ — $ 7,666 $ (475 ) (A) $ — $ 7,191 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities $ (4,536 ) $ — $ (4,536 ) $ 475 (B) $ — $ (4,061 ) Derivatives - Other $ (7,279 ) $ — $ (7,279 ) $ — $ — $ (7,279 ) As of December 31, 2016 Description Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities Gross amount offset in the balance sheet Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet Net amount Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Posted SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Derivatives - Energy Related Assets $ 80,893 $ — $ 80,893 $ (38,809 ) (A) $ (3,474 ) $ 38,610 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities $ (64,622 ) $ — $ (64,622 ) $ 38,809 (B) $ — $ (25,813 ) Derivatives - Other $ (10,030 ) $ — $ (10,030 ) $ — $ — $ (10,030 ) SJG: Derivatives - Energy Related Assets $ 5,807 $ — $ 5,807 $ (6 ) (A) $ (3,587 ) $ 2,214 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities $ (1,372 ) $ — $ (1,372 ) $ 6 (B) $ — $ (1,366 ) Derivatives - Other $ (7,365 ) $ — $ (7,365 ) $ — $ — $ (7,365 ) (A) The balances at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were related to derivative liabilities which can be net settled against derivative assets. (B) The balances at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were related to derivative assets which can be net settled against derivative liabilities.
Offsetting liabilities	As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , information related to these offsetting arrangements were as follows (in thousands): As of September 30, 2017 Description Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities Gross amount offset in the balance sheet Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet Net amount Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Posted SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Derivatives - Energy Related Assets $ 49,718 $ — $ 49,718 $ (18,251 ) (A) $ — $ 31,467 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities $ (31,269 ) $ — $ (31,269 ) $ 18,251 (B) $ — $ (13,018 ) Derivatives - Other $ (11,277 ) $ — $ (11,277 ) $ — $ — $ (11,277 ) SJG: Derivatives - Energy Related Assets $ 7,666 $ — $ 7,666 $ (475 ) (A) $ — $ 7,191 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities $ (4,536 ) $ — $ (4,536 ) $ 475 (B) $ — $ (4,061 ) Derivatives - Other $ (7,279 ) $ — $ (7,279 ) $ — $ — $ (7,279 ) As of December 31, 2016 Description Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities Gross amount offset in the balance sheet Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet Net amount Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Posted SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Derivatives - Energy Related Assets $ 80,893 $ — $ 80,893 $ (38,809 ) (A) $ (3,474 ) $ 38,610 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities $ (64,622 ) $ — $ (64,622 ) $ 38,809 (B) $ — $ (25,813 ) Derivatives - Other $ (10,030 ) $ — $ (10,030 ) $ — $ — $ (10,030 ) SJG: Derivatives - Energy Related Assets $ 5,807 $ — $ 5,807 $ (6 ) (A) $ (3,587 ) $ 2,214 Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities $ (1,372 ) $ — $ (1,372 ) $ 6 (B) $ — $ (1,366 ) Derivatives - Other $ (7,365 ) $ — $ (7,365 ) $ — $ — $ (7,365 ) (A) The balances at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were related to derivative liabilities which can be net settled against derivative assets. (B) The balances at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were related to derivative assets which can be net settled against derivative liabilities.
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	The effect of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships under GAAP 2017 2016 2017 2016 SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Interest Rate Contracts: Losses reclassified from AOCL into income (a) $ (12 ) $ (82 ) $ (2,511 ) $ (250 ) SJG: Interest Rate Contracts: Losses reclassified from AOCL into income (a) $ (12 ) $ (12 ) (36 ) (36 ) (a) Included in Interest Charges Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under GAAP 2017 2016 2017 2016 SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): (Losses) Gains on energy-related commodity contracts (a) $ (4,632 ) $ 9,003 $ 2,200 $ 6,287 Gains (Losses) on interest rate contracts (b) 52 218 (1,332 ) (438 ) Total $ (4,580 ) $ 9,221 $ 868 $ 5,849 (a) Included in Operating Revenues - Nonutility (b) Included in Interest Charges

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSET33

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of assets and liabilities	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 September 30, 2017 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Assets Available-for-Sale Securities (A) $ 32 $ 32 $ — $ — Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B) 49,718 5,950 19,296 24,472 $ 49,750 $ 5,982 $ 19,296 $ 24,472 SJG: Assets Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B) $ 7,666 $ 525 $ 223 $ 6,918 $ 7,666 $ 525 $ 223 $ 6,918 SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Liabilities Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B) $ 31,269 $ 2,690 $ 17,873 $ 10,706 Derivatives – Other (C) 11,277 — 11,277 — $ 42,546 $ 2,690 $ 29,150 $ 10,706 SJG: Liabilities Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B) $ 4,536 $ 475 $ 2,267 $ 1,794 Derivatives – Other (C) 7,279 — 7,279 — $ 11,815 $ 475 $ 9,546 $ 1,794 As of December 31, 2016 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Assets Available-for-Sale Securities (A) $ 32 $ 32 $ — $ — Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B) 80,893 33,994 11,814 35,085 $ 80,925 $ 34,026 $ 11,814 $ 35,085 SJG: Assets Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B) $ 5,807 $ 4,767 $ — $ 1,040 $ 5,807 $ 4,767 $ — $ 1,040 SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Liabilities Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B) $ 64,622 $ 16,502 $ 22,070 $ 26,050 Derivatives – Other (C) 10,030 — 10,030 — $ 74,652 $ 16,502 $ 32,100 $ 26,050 SJG: Liabilities Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B) $ 1,372 $ 6 $ 1,252 $ 114 Derivatives – Other (C) 7,365 — 7,365 — $ 8,737 $ 6 $ 8,617 $ 114 (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. (B) 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 forward contracts, 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 consist of 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 consist of 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. (C) 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.
Quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs, assets	The following table provides quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs in Level 3 fair value measurements (in thousands): SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Type Fair Value at September 30, 2017 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input Range [Weighted Average] Assets Liabilities Forward Contract - Natural Gas $17,545 $7,587 Discounted Cash Flow Forward price (per dt) $1.05 - $8.37 [$2.87] (A) Forward Contract - Electric $6,927 $3,119 Discounted Cash Flow Fixed electric load profile (on-peak) 36.36% - 100.00% [52.98%] (B) Fixed electric load profile (off-peak) 0.00% - 63.64% [47.02%] (B) Type Fair Value at December 31, 2016 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input Range [Weighted Average] Assets Liabilities Forward Contract - Natural Gas $23,301 $18,109 Discounted Cash Flow Forward price (per dt) $1.03 - $11.33 [$2.71] (A) Forward Contract - Electric $11,784 $7,941 Discounted Cash Flow Fixed electric load profile (on-peak) 21.43% - 100.00% [55.14%] (B) Fixed electric load profile (off-peak) 0.00% - 78.57% [44.86%] (B) SJG: Type Fair Value at September 30, 2017 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input Range Assets Liabilities Forward Contract - Natural Gas $ 6,918 $ 1,794 Discounted Cash Flow Forward price (per dt) $2.37- $6.42 [$4.60] (A) Type Fair Value at December 31, 2016 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input Range Assets Liabilities Forward Contract - Natural Gas $ 1,040 $ 114 Discounted Cash Flow Forward price (per dt) $3.25 - $6.33 [$5.09] (A) (A) Represents the range, along with the weighted average, of forward prices for the sale and purchase of natural gas. (B) Represents the range, along with the weighted average, of the percentage of contracted usage that is loaded during on-peak hours versus off-peak.
Quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs, liabilities	The following table provides quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs in Level 3 fair value measurements (in thousands): SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Type Fair Value at September 30, 2017 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input Range [Weighted Average] Assets Liabilities Forward Contract - Natural Gas $17,545 $7,587 Discounted Cash Flow Forward price (per dt) $1.05 - $8.37 [$2.87] (A) Forward Contract - Electric $6,927 $3,119 Discounted Cash Flow Fixed electric load profile (on-peak) 36.36% - 100.00% [52.98%] (B) Fixed electric load profile (off-peak) 0.00% - 63.64% [47.02%] (B) Type Fair Value at December 31, 2016 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input Range [Weighted Average] Assets Liabilities Forward Contract - Natural Gas $23,301 $18,109 Discounted Cash Flow Forward price (per dt) $1.03 - $11.33 [$2.71] (A) Forward Contract - Electric $11,784 $7,941 Discounted Cash Flow Fixed electric load profile (on-peak) 21.43% - 100.00% [55.14%] (B) Fixed electric load profile (off-peak) 0.00% - 78.57% [44.86%] (B) SJG: Type Fair Value at September 30, 2017 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input Range Assets Liabilities Forward Contract - Natural Gas $ 6,918 $ 1,794 Discounted Cash Flow Forward price (per dt) $2.37- $6.42 [$4.60] (A) Type Fair Value at December 31, 2016 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input Range Assets Liabilities Forward Contract - Natural Gas $ 1,040 $ 114 Discounted Cash Flow Forward price (per dt) $3.25 - $6.33 [$5.09] (A) (A) Represents the range, along with the weighted average, of forward prices for the sale and purchase of natural gas. (B) Represents the range, along with the weighted average, of the percentage of contracted usage that is loaded during on-peak hours versus off-peak.
Changes in fair value using significant unobservable inputs	The changes in fair value measurements of Derivatives – Energy Related Assets and Liabilities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Balance at beginning of period $ 17,401 $ 9,035 Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net 1,352 8,346 Transfers out of Level 3 (A) (206 ) (954 ) Settlements (4,781 ) (2,661 ) Balance at end of period $ 13,766 $ 13,766 SJG: Balance at beginning of period $ 6,933 $ 926 Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net (1,603 ) 5,330 Transfers out of Level 3 (A) (206 ) (206 ) Settlements — (926 ) Balance at end of period $ 5,124 $ 5,124 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries): Balance at beginning of period $ (2,096 ) $ (632 ) Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net 10,404 8,346 Settlements (423 ) 171 Balance at end of period $ 7,885 $ 7,885 SJG: Balance at beginning of period $ (224 ) $ 183 Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net 730 506 Settlements — (183 ) Balance at end of period $ 506 $ 506 (A) 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , $0.2 million and $1.0 million of SJI's, and $0.2 million (for both periods) of SJG's, net derivative assets were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2, due to increased observability of market data.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI34

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL)	The following table summarizes the changes in SJG's AOCL for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands): Postretirement Liability Adjustment Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives-Other Total Balance at July 1, 2017 (a) $ (14,417 ) $ (503 ) $ (14,920 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCL (b) — 7 7 Net current period other comprehensive income — 7 7 Balance at September 30, 2017 (a) $ (14,417 ) $ (496 ) $ (14,913 ) Postretirement Liability Adjustment Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives-Other Total Balance at January 1, 2017 (a) $ (14,417 ) $ (517 ) $ (14,934 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCL (b) — 21 21 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) — 21 21 Balance at September 30, 2017 (a) $ (14,417 ) $ (496 ) $ (14,913 ) (a) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40% . (b) See table below. The following table summarizes the changes in SJI's accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands): Postretirement Liability Adjustment Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives-Other Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available-for-Sale Securities Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of Affiliated Companies Total Balance at July 1, 2017 (a) $ (25,342 ) $ (410 ) $ (10 ) $ (97 ) $ (25,859 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — — — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCL (b) — 7 — — 7 Net current period other comprehensive income — 7 — — 7 Balance at September 30, 2017 (a) $ (25,342 ) $ (403 ) $ (10 ) $ (97 ) $ (25,852 ) Postretirement Liability Adjustment Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives-Other Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available-for-Sale Securities Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of Affiliated Companies Total Balance at January 1, 2017 (a) $ (25,342 ) $ (1,932 ) $ (10 ) $ (97 ) $ (27,381 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — — — — — Amounts reclassified from AOCL (b) — 1,529 — — 1,529 Net current period other comprehensive income — 1,529 — — 1,529 Balance at September 30, 2017 (a) $ (25,342 ) $ (403 ) $ (10 ) $ (97 ) $ (25,852 ) (a) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40% . (b) See table below.
Reclassifications out of AOCL	The reclassifications out of SJG's AOCL during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are as follows (in thousands): Components of AOCL Amounts Reclassified from AOCL Affected Line Item in the Condensed Statements of Income Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Unrealized Loss in on Derivatives - Other - Interest Rate Contracts designated as cash flow hedges $ 12 $ 36 Interest Charges Income Taxes (5 ) (15 ) Income Taxes (a) Losses from reclassifications for the period net of tax $ 7 $ 21 (a) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40% . The following table provides details about reclassifications out of SJI's AOCL for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands): Components of AOCL Amounts Reclassified from AOCL Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Unrealized Loss on Derivatives-Other - interest rate contracts designated as cash flow hedges $ 12 $ 2,511 Interest Charges Income Taxes (5 ) (982 ) Income Taxes (a) Losses from reclassifications for the period net of tax $ 7 $ 1,529 (a) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40% .

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN35

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)countymishares	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)countymishares	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of counties in which SJG operates | county	7			7
Length of pipeline (in miles) | mi	118			118
Public utility assessment	$ 200,000		$ 200,000	$ 800,000	$ 700,000
Amount of costs related to interests in proved and unproved properties in Pennsylvania, net of amortization	$ 8,700,000			$ 8,700,000		$ 8,800,000
Shares of treasury stock held (in shares) | shares	213,061			213,061		212,617
Goodwill	$ 4,838,000			$ 4,838,000		$ 4,838,000
Public Utilities, General Disclosures [Line Items]
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities				127,081,000	196,433,000
Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities				89,752,000	(14,290,000)
Impairment charge	43,900,000	$ 300,000	0	44,200,000	0
Identified impairments	$ 0		0	0	0
South Jersey Gas Company
Public Utilities, General Disclosures [Line Items]
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities				73,186,000	108,690,000
Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities				114,670,000	45,593,000
Impairment charge			$ 0	$ 0	0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Statutory Tax Withholding Component
Public Utilities, General Disclosures [Line Items]
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities					400,000
Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities					$ (400,000)

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN36

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Number of options granted (in shares)			0	0
Number of options outstanding (in shares)		0		0		0
Vesting period of shares					3 years
Service period of shares			3 years
Fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 28.53		$ 24.96			$ 28.53
Expected volatility, measurement period			3 years
Total Cost	$ 1,343	$ 991	$ 4,041	$ 3,026
Capitalized	(96)	(77)	(288)	(289)
Net Expense	$ 1,247	914	$ 3,753	2,737
Unrecognized compensation cost of awards granted under the plan						$ 6,500
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation cost is to be recognized			1 year 9 months 18 days
Additional disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-beginning balance (in dollars per share)			$ 24.96
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-granted during the period (in dollars per share)			33.24
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares- forfeited during the period (in dollars per share)			28.70
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-vested during the period (in dollars per share)			24.75
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 28.53		$ 28.53
South Jersey Gas Company
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Costs capitalized			50.00%
Officers and Key Employees
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Number of shares granted (in shares)			167,734
Shares outstanding (in shares)	428,717		295,515			428,717
Total Cost	$ 1,087	781	$ 3,274	$ 2,396
Number of shares awarded			65,628	13,247
Fair value of shares issued			$ 2,200	$ 300
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)			295,515
Granted (in shares)			167,734
Cancelled/Forfeited (in shares)			(3,891)
Vested (in shares)			(30,641)
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	428,717		428,717
Officers and Key Employees | 2015 - TSR
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Shares outstanding (in shares)	33,449		33,449			33,449
Fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 26.31		$ 26.31			$ 26.31
Expected volatility			16.00%
Risk-free interest rate			1.10%
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	33,449		33,449
Additional disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 26.31		$ 26.31
Officers and Key Employees | 2015 - EGR, ROE, Time
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Shares outstanding (in shares)	61,357		61,357			61,357
Fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 29.47		$ 29.47			$ 29.47
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	61,357		61,357
Additional disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 29.47		$ 29.47
Officers and Key Employees | 2016 - TSR
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Shares outstanding (in shares)	65,544		65,544			65,544
Fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 22.53		$ 22.53			$ 22.53
Expected volatility			18.10%
Risk-free interest rate			1.31%
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	65,544		65,544
Additional disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 22.53		$ 22.53
Officers and Key Employees | 2016 - CEGR, Time
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Shares outstanding (in shares)	102,616		102,616			102,616
Fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 23.52		$ 23.52			$ 23.52
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	102,616		102,616
Additional disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 23.52		$ 23.52
Officers and Key Employees | 2017 - TSR
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Shares outstanding (in shares)	56,644		56,644			56,644
Fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 32.17		$ 32.17			$ 32.17
Expected volatility			20.80%
Risk-free interest rate			1.47%
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	56,644		56,644
Additional disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 32.17		$ 32.17
Officers and Key Employees | 2017 - CEGR, Time
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Shares outstanding (in shares)	109,107		109,107			109,107
Fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 33.69		$ 33.69			$ 33.69
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	109,107		109,107
Additional disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 33.69		$ 33.69
Director
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Number of shares granted (in shares)			30,394	35,197
Vesting period of shares			12 months
Director shares vested						100.00%
Shares outstanding (in shares)	30,394		35,197			30,394
Total Cost	$ 256	$ 210	$ 767	$ 630
Fair value of shares issued			$ 1,000	$ 800
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)			35,197
Granted (in shares)			30,394	35,197
Cancelled/Forfeited (in shares)			0
Vested (in shares)			(35,197)
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	30,394		30,394
Director | 2017
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Shares outstanding (in shares)	30,394		30,394			30,394
Fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 33.64		$ 33.64			$ 33.64
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	30,394		30,394
Additional disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 33.64		$ 33.64
Stock Appreciation Rights
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Number of shares granted (in shares)			0
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)			0
Restricted Stock | Year two
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Service period of shares					2 years
Restricted Stock | Year three
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Service period of shares					3 years
Restricted Stock | Officers and Key Employees
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Number of shares granted (in shares)			167,734	193,670
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)			167,734	193,670
Restricted Stock | Officers and Key Employees | Minimum
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Percentage of actual amount of shares that ultimately vest of original share units granted			0.00%
Restricted Stock | Officers and Key Employees | Maximum
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Percentage of actual amount of shares that ultimately vest of original share units granted			200.00%
Restricted Stock | South Jersey Gas Company's officers and other key employees
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Number of shares granted (in shares)			24,001	32,732
Net Expense			$ 300	$ 200
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)			24,001	32,732
Time-based Restricted Stock
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Return on equity award threshold					7.00%
Time-based Restricted Stock | Officers and Key Employees
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Number of shares granted (in shares)			53,058	58,101
Vesting period of shares			3 years		3 years
Payout limit					100.00%
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)			53,058	58,101
Total Shareholder Return
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Vesting period of shares			3 years

AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OP37

AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)mi	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Length of pipeline (in miles) | mi	118
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 22.4	$ 2.2
Notes receivable - affiliate	$ 15.7		$ 15.7
Interest accrual on secured notes receivable	7.50%
Net asset - included in investment in affiliates and other noncurrent liabilities	$ 54.1
Combined equity contributions and the notes receivable - affiliate	$ 69.8
Energenic US LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest	50.00%			50.00%
Millennium Account Services, LLC (Millennium)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest	50.00%
Potato Creek, LLC (Potato Creek)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest	30.00%
PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC (PennEast)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest	20.00%
Secured Debt
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Notes receivable - affiliate	$ 13.7
Unsecured Debt
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Notes receivable - affiliate	$ 2

AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OP38

AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - Summarized Operating Results (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Loss Before Income Taxes:
Income Tax Benefits	$ 25	$ 15	$ 66	$ 94
Loss from Discontinued Operations — Net	$ (45)	$ (29)	$ (122)	$ (176)
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share from Discontinued Operations - Net
Basic and Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Sand Mining
Loss Before Income Taxes:
Loss Before Income Taxes	$ (17)	$ (20)	$ (49)	$ (184)
Fuel Oil
Loss Before Income Taxes:
Loss Before Income Taxes	$ (53)	$ (24)	$ (139)	$ (86)

AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OP39

AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - Related Party Transactions (Details) - SJG - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Operating Revenues/Affiliates:
Total Operating Revenue/Affiliates	$ 1,303	$ 1,063	$ 3,703	$ 5,691
Operations Expense/Affiliates:
Total Operations Expense/Affiliates	4,860	5,287	17,238	16,446
SJRG
Operating Revenues/Affiliates:
Total Operating Revenue/Affiliates	1,210	977	3,421	5,399
Costs of Sales/Affiliates (Excluding depreciation)	1,453	490	12,399	9,993
Marina
Operating Revenues/Affiliates:
Total Operating Revenue/Affiliates	72	65	219	229
SJI
Operations Expense/Affiliates:
Total Operations Expense/Affiliates	4,316	4,632	15,354	14,502
Millennium
Operations Expense/Affiliates:
Total Operations Expense/Affiliates	717	703	2,137	2,098
Other
Operating Revenues/Affiliates:
Total Operating Revenue/Affiliates	21	21	63	63
Operations Expense/Affiliates:
Total Operations Expense/Affiliates	$ (173)	$ (48)	$ (253)	$ (154)

COMMON STOCK - Summary of Share

COMMON STOCK - Summary of Shares Issued and Outstanding (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017shares
Common Stock [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	79,478,055
New Issuances During the Period:
Stock-Based Compensation Plan (in shares)	71,025
Ending balance (in shares)	79,549,080

COMMON STOCK - Narrative (Detai

COMMON STOCK - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Par value of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 1.25	$ 1.25		$ 1.25
Net excess over par value recorded in premium on common stock				$ 2,500
Shares of common stock issued (in shares)	8,050,000
Shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)		79,549,080		79,549,080		79,478,055
Incremental shares included in diluted EPS calculation (in shares)				137,003	94,997
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount		138,346	156,673
Proceeds from sale of common stock	$ 203,600			$ 0	$ 214,426
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of common stock					$ 10,800
South Jersey Gas Company
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Par value of common stock (in dollars per share)		$ 2.5		$ 2.5
Shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)		2,339,139		2,339,139

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restricted investments held In escrow			$ 300			$ 1,900
Margin accounts with selected counterparties to support risk management activities			5,300			11,700
Cash and Cash Equivalents			13,681			18,282
Restricted Investments			5,645			13,628
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$ 50,740		19,326	$ 52,635		31,910
Notes Receivable - Affiliate			$ 13,275			13,275
Energenic US LLC
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Equity interest			50.00%		50.00%
Contract term					20 years
Share of settlement				7,500
Recovery of costs receivable						7,000
Notes Receivable - Affiliate			$ 13,700
Energenic US LLC | Other Income
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Recovery of costs associated with settlement		$ 2,100
Energenic US LLC | Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Recovery of costs associated with settlement	5,300
South Jersey Gas Company
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Margin accounts with selected counterparties to support risk management activities			900			3,600
Cash and Cash Equivalents			404			1,359
Restricted Investments			891			32
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$ 9,499		1,295	$ 7,544		1,391
South Jersey Gas Company | Financing Receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying amount of loans, net of unamortized discounts			7,400			9,500
Imputed interest of loans			$ 800			$ 900
South Jersey Gas Company | Financing Receivable | Minimum
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Initial term of note			5 years
South Jersey Gas Company | Financing Receivable | Maximum
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Initial term of note			10 years

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Credit

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Credit Risk (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)counterparty
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of counterparties | counterparty	2
Supplier Concentration Risk | Derivatives Energy Related Assets
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Current and noncurrent derivatives | $	$ 8.8
Percentage of current and noncurrent derivatives	17.70%

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Financi

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Estimated fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities	$ 1,161.6	$ 1,080.8
Carrying amount of long-term debt, including current maturities	1,191.2	1,039.9
Unamortized debt issuance costs	9.9	7.6
South Jersey Gas Company
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Estimated fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities	833.2	673.1
Carrying amount of long-term debt, including current maturities	818.6	639.1
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ 7.5	$ 6

SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS (Details)

SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)category	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	$ 227,127	$ 219,082	$ 897,330	$ 706,519
Total Operating (Loss) Income	(55,255)	12,590	7,867	118,857
Total Depreciation and Amortization	30,084	27,798	89,316	81,260
Total Interest Charges	10,567	7,355	38,291	24,744
Total Income Taxes	(24,765)	2,807	(8,439)	34,885
Total Property Additions	61,121	63,477	201,574	172,107
Total Identifiable Assets	3,740,066		3,740,066		$ 3,730,567
Discontinued Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Identifiable Assets	1,769		$ 1,769		1,756
Energy Group and Energy Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating categories | category			2
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	242,039	233,306	$ 947,238	748,788
Total Interest Charges	14,934	10,072	50,104	32,867
Operating Segments | Gas Utility Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	66,755	62,025	346,820	318,553
Total Operating (Loss) Income	(4,628)	(2,453)	84,174	83,251
Total Depreciation and Amortization	17,751	15,954	52,559	47,368
Total Interest Charges	6,437	4,058	18,392	13,397
Total Income Taxes	(3,688)	(2,007)	27,654	26,812
Total Property Additions	59,179	53,623	187,587	155,126
Total Identifiable Assets	2,736,775		2,736,775		2,551,923
Operating Segments | Energy Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	134,213	131,376	488,353	329,735
Total Operating (Loss) Income	(12,264)	6,717	(42,847)	22,165
Total Depreciation and Amortization	111	124	339	700
Total Interest Charges	(107)	86	3,235	328
Total Income Taxes	(4,647)	2,562	(17,383)	8,493
Total Property Additions	204	455	637	1,187
Total Identifiable Assets	221,523		221,523		327,028
Operating Segments | Energy Group | Wholesale Energy Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	70,741	67,926	274,667	131,691
Total Operating (Loss) Income	(11,346)	8,014	(41,163)	15,109
Total Depreciation and Amortization	31	39	92	447
Total Interest Charges	(162)	0	3,031	32
Total Income Taxes	(4,281)	3,125	(16,984)	5,604
Total Property Additions	0	0	5	7
Total Identifiable Assets	153,933		153,933		233,019
Operating Segments | Energy Group | Retail Gas and Other Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	18,156	11,865	76,793	63,903
Total Operating (Loss) Income	(574)	(2,520)	(3,801)	2,971
Total Depreciation and Amortization	80	85	247	253
Total Interest Charges	55	86	204	296
Total Income Taxes	(225)	(1,062)	(1,265)	1,220
Total Property Additions	204	455	632	1,180
Total Identifiable Assets	35,487		35,487		52,729
Operating Segments | Energy Group | Retail Electric Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	45,316	51,585	136,893	134,141
Total Operating (Loss) Income	(344)	1,223	2,117	4,085
Total Income Taxes	(141)	499	866	1,669
Total Identifiable Assets	32,103		32,103		41,280
Operating Segments | Energy Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	31,494	32,846	79,879	76,148
Total Operating (Loss) Income	(38,743)	8,354	(35,614)	13,128
Total Depreciation and Amortization	11,774	11,347	35,151	32,336
Total Income Taxes	(16,490)	2,220	(19,321)	(530)
Total Property Additions	1,633	9,225	12,159	14,893
Total Identifiable Assets	663,807		663,807		770,589
Operating Segments | Energy Services | On-Site Energy Production
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	29,942	31,034	74,689	70,398
Total Operating (Loss) Income	(38,351)	8,077	(35,216)	12,549
Total Depreciation and Amortization	11,731	11,274	34,998	32,088
Total Interest Charges	3,549	3,032	13,240	9,936
Total Income Taxes	(16,270)	2,118	(19,120)	(784)
Total Property Additions	1,633	9,152	11,899	14,468
Total Identifiable Assets	662,087		662,087		767,710
Operating Segments | Energy Services | Appliance Service Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	1,552	1,812	5,190	5,750
Total Operating (Loss) Income	(392)	277	(398)	579
Total Depreciation and Amortization	43	73	153	248
Total Income Taxes	(220)	102	(201)	254
Total Property Additions	0	73	260	425
Total Identifiable Assets	1,720		1,720		2,879
Corporate and Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	9,577	7,059	32,186	24,352
Total Operating (Loss) Income	380	(28)	2,154	313
Total Depreciation and Amortization	448	373	1,267	856
Total Interest Charges	5,055	2,896	15,237	9,206
Total Income Taxes	60	32	611	110
Total Property Additions	105	174	1,191	901
Total Identifiable Assets	781,238		781,238		649,795
Intersegment eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating Revenues	(14,912)	(14,224)	(49,908)	(42,269)
Total Interest Charges	(4,367)	$ (2,717)	(11,813)	$ (8,123)
Total Identifiable Assets	$ (665,046)		$ (665,046)		$ (570,524)

RATES AND REGULATORY ACTIONS (D

RATES AND REGULATORY ACTIONS (Details) - South Jersey Gas Company - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 01, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017
Energy Efficiency Tracker
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Budget for energy efficiency program						$ 36,300
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities | Subsequent event
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Approved rate increase (decrease), amount	$ 39,500
Approved rate increase (decrease), percentage	6.80%
Approved return on equity, percentage	9.60%
AIRP II Investments | New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Approved rate increase (decrease), amount		$ 5,000
Property, plant and equipment		46,100
SHARP Investments | New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Approved rate increase (decrease), amount		3,600
Property, plant and equipment		33,300
Annual SBC Filing | New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Public utilities, requested rate increase (decrease), amount			$ (8,000)
Annual SBC File- USF Component | New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Public utilities, requested rate increase (decrease), amount		2,000
EET Rate Adjustment Petition | New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Public utilities, requested rate increase (decrease), amount				$ (3,000)
Annual BGSS Filing | New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Public utilities, bill credit					$ 8,000
Public utilities, requested rate increase (decrease), amount		4,700
Annual CIP Filing | New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Schedule of Capitalization [Line Items]
Public utilities, requested rate increase (decrease), amount		$ (200)

REGULATORY ASSETS AND REGULAT47

REGULATORY ASSETS AND REGULATORY LIABILITIES - Regulatory Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	$ 477,457	$ 410,746
Environmental Remediation Costs: Expended - Net
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	93,724	71,997
Environmental Remediation Costs: Liability for Future Expenditures
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	176,805	153,047
Deferred Asset Retirement Obligation Costs
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	42,283	43,014
Deferred Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	85,693	85,693
Conservation Incentive Program Receivable
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	32,429	27,567
Societal Benefit Costs Receivable
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	906	0
Deferred Interest Rate Contracts
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	7,280	7,365
Energy Efficiency Tracker
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	1,994	219
Pipeline Supplier Service Charges
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	862	2,122
Pipeline Integrity Cost
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	5,160	4,810
AFUDC - Equity Related Deferrals
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	12,331	12,434
Other Regulatory Assets
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	2,745	2,478
South Jersey Gas Company | Deferred Gas Costs
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Assets	$ 15,245	$ 0

REGULATORY ASSETS AND REGULAT48

REGULATORY ASSETS AND REGULATORY LIABILITIES - Narrative and Regulatory Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)siteasset	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory Assets	$ 477,457	$ 410,746
Total Regulatory Liabilities	23,485	49,121
Excess Plant Removal Costs
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	23,485	28,226
Deferred Revenues - Net
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory Assets	15,200
Total Regulatory Liabilities	0	17,800
Societal Benefit Costs
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	$ 0	$ 3,095
Environmental restoration costs
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Number of regulatory assets | asset	2
Number of sites for environmental cleanup | site	12
Original recovery period of expenditures	7 years

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM49

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service Cost		$ 1,247,000	$ 1,210,000	$ 3,741,000	$ 3,632,000
Interest Cost		2,943,000	3,031,000	8,829,000	9,094,000
Expected Return on Plan Assets		(3,526,000)	(3,377,000)	(10,579,000)	(10,131,000)
Amortizations:
Prior Service Cost		33,000	53,000	98,000	158,000
Actuarial Loss		2,570,000	2,349,000	7,712,000	7,046,000
Net Periodic Benefit Cost		3,267,000	3,266,000	9,801,000	9,799,000
Capitalized Benefit Cost		(1,143,000)	(1,251,000)	(3,542,000)	(3,651,000)
Deferred Benefit Cost		(95,000)	(161,000)	(395,000)	(484,000)
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense		2,029,000	1,854,000	5,864,000	5,664,000
Contributions	$ 10,000,000				0
Estimated future contributions		0		0
Pension Benefits | South Jersey Gas Company
Amortizations:
Net Periodic Benefit Cost		2,300,000	2,400,000	7,100,000	7,200,000
Contributions	$ 8,000,000
Estimated future contributions		0		0
Other Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service Cost		228,000	213,000	683,000	638,000
Interest Cost		604,000	654,000	1,813,000	1,961,000
Expected Return on Plan Assets		(853,000)	(776,000)	(2,558,000)	(2,328,000)
Amortizations:
Prior Service Cost		(86,000)	(86,000)	(258,000)	(258,000)
Actuarial Loss		310,000	277,000	928,000	832,000
Net Periodic Benefit Cost		203,000	282,000	608,000	845,000
Capitalized Benefit Cost		66,000	(73,000)	(35,000)	(219,000)
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense		269,000	209,000	573,000	626,000
Defined benefit plan regulatory obligation to contribute to the plan during the period		3,600,000		3,600,000
Other Postretirement Benefits | South Jersey Gas Company
Amortizations:
Net Periodic Benefit Cost		(100,000)	$ 100,000	100,000	$ 400,000
Supplemental executive retirement plan
Amortizations:
Estimated future contributions		$ 2,500,000		$ 2,500,000

LINES OF CREDIT (Details)

LINES OF CREDIT (Details)	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total Facility	$ 660,000,000		$ 660,000,000
Usage	290,900,000		290,900,000
Available Liquidity	369,100,000		$ 369,100,000
Weighted average interest rate on borrowings			2.26%	1.28%
Average borrowings outstanding			$ 260,900,000	$ 336,500,000
Maximum amounts outstanding			$ 373,800,000	$ 467,700,000
Financial covenant, ratio of indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization, syndicate (not more than)			0.70
Financial covenant, ratio of indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization (not more than)			0.65
Line of Credit | SJI
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total Facility	450,000,000		$ 450,000,000
Usage	290,100,000		290,100,000
Available Liquidity	159,900,000		159,900,000
Line of Credit | SJI | Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total Facility	400,000,000	$ 400,000,000	400,000,000
Usage	240,100,000		240,100,000
Available Liquidity	159,900,000		159,900,000
Letters of credit outstanding	10,000,000		10,000,000
Line of Credit | SJI | Line of Credit | August 2017 to August 2022
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total Facility		$ 400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term		5 years
Line of Credit | SJI | Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total Facility	50,000,000		50,000,000
Usage	50,000,000		50,000,000
Available Liquidity	$ 0		0
Debt Instrument, Term	2 years
Line of Credit | South Jersey Gas Company
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total Facility	$ 210,000,000		210,000,000
Usage	800,000		800,000
Available Liquidity	209,200,000		209,200,000
Weighted average interest rate on borrowings				0.76%
Average borrowings outstanding			17,000,000	$ 64,500,000
Maximum amounts outstanding			110,100,000	$ 141,700,000
Line of Credit | South Jersey Gas Company | Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total Facility	200,000,000	$ 200,000,000	200,000,000
Usage	800,000		800,000
Available Liquidity	199,200,000		199,200,000
Letters of credit outstanding	800,000		800,000
Line of Credit | South Jersey Gas Company | Revolving Credit Facility | August 2017 to August 2022
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total Facility		$ 200,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term		5 years
Line of Credit | South Jersey Gas Company | Uncommitted Bank Line
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total Facility	10,000,000		10,000,000
Usage	0		0
Available Liquidity	10,000,000		10,000,000
Unsecured promissory notes | SJG Commercial Paper Program
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total Facility	$ 200,000,000		$ 200,000,000
Fixed maturities of notes, at maximum number of days			270 days

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)	May 08, 2017USD ($)	May 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)siteuniondecatherm / daycontract	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)siteuniondecatherm / daycontract	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Percentage of personnel represented by collective bargaining agreements			40.00%			40.00%
Number of unions | union			2			2
Cost of Sales - Nonutility			$ 140,598,000		$ 117,635,000	$ 503,715,000	$ 284,236,000
Interest Charges			10,567,000		7,355,000	38,291,000	24,744,000
Approximate amount accrued related to all claims			$ 3,000,000			$ 3,000,000			$ 3,100,000
Environmental restoration costs
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of sites for environmental cleanup | site			12			12
Pricing dispute, long-term gas supply contract
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of long-term gas supply contracts | contract			2			2
Line of Credit
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Letter of credit provided			$ 660,000,000			$ 660,000,000
Standby letters of credit
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Letter of credit provided			$ 10,000,000			10,000,000
South Jersey Gas Company
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Cumulative obligation for demand charges and reservation fees per month						$ 6,100,000
Percentage of personnel represented by collective bargaining agreements			58.00%			58.00%
Interest Charges			$ 6,437,000		$ 4,058,000	$ 18,392,000	$ 13,397,000
Approximate amount accrued related to all claims			700,000			700,000			$ 600,000
South Jersey Gas Company | Pricing dispute, long-term gas supply contract | Judicial ruling
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount to be paid to supplier	$ 19,200,000
South Jersey Gas Company | Line of Credit
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Letter of credit provided			210,000,000			210,000,000
South Jersey Gas Company | Syndicated Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Letter of credit provided			200,000,000			200,000,000		$ 200,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding			800,000			800,000
South Jersey Gas Company | Letters of credit under separate facility
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Letter of credit provided			$ 25,200,000			25,200,000
South Jersey Resources Group
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Cumulative obligation for demand charges and reservation fees per month						$ 500,000
Minimum purchase commitment (in dts/d) | decatherm / day			635,000			635,000
Maximum purchase commitment (in dts/d) | decatherm / day			1,029,000			1,029,000
Minimum length of contract						3 years
Maximum length of contract						10 years
South Jersey Resources Group | Pricing dispute, long-term gas supply contract | Judicial ruling
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount to be paid to supplier	$ 50,500,000
Cost of Sales - Nonutility			$ 5,500,000			$ 46,500,000
Interest Charges						4,000,000
South Jersey Resources Group | Dispute, long-term management contract | Pending litigation
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount to be paid to supplier				$ 9,500,000
Term of capacity management contract				3 years
Amount claimed to be owed				$ 13,300,000
Marina | Unsecured Debt
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Principal amount redeemed		$ 62,300,000
Parental guarantee
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Parental guarantees			$ 6,000,000			$ 6,000,000
Guarantee expiration period						2 years

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Outsta

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Outstanding Contracts (Details) MWh in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2005USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)MWh	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)MMcfe	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses), derivative instruments, energy-related contracts				$ 1,000,000				$ (2,800,000)
Reclassified unrealized gain (loss) to interest income (expense)				(2,400,000)
Interest Rate Swap, $20,000,000 Contract 1
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ 20,000,000		$ 20,000,000	$ 20,000,000	$ 20,000,000
Fixed Interest Rate		3.049%		3.049%	3.049%	3.049%
Interest Rate Swap, $20,000,000 Contract 2
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ 20,000,000		$ 20,000,000	$ 20,000,000	$ 20,000,000
Fixed Interest Rate		3.049%		3.049%	3.049%	3.049%
Interest Rate Swap, $10,000,000
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ 10,000,000		$ 10,000,000	$ 10,000,000	$ 10,000,000
Fixed Interest Rate		3.049%		3.049%	3.049%	3.049%
Basis and Index related net purchase (sales) contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount (natural gas in mmcfe and electricity in mwh) | MMcfe						73,800,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on energy related derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments		$ (4,632,000)	$ 9,003,000	$ 2,200,000			$ 6,287,000
Expected future purchases
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount (natural gas in mmcfe and electricity in mwh)					2.6	51,700,000
Expected future sales
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount (natural gas in mmcfe and electricity in mwh)					1.9	44,900,000
SJG
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized gains (losses)				3,100,000				4,400,000
Cost of Treasury Locks	$ 1,400,000
Amortized life of the associated debt issue	30 years
Unamortized balance		800,000		800,000	$ 800,000	$ 800,000		$ 900,000
SJG | Interest Rate Swap, $12,500,000 Contract 1
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ 12,500,000		$ 12,500,000	$ 12,500,000	$ 12,500,000
Fixed Interest Rate		3.53%		3.53%	3.53%	3.53%
SJG | Interest Rate Swap, $12,500,000 Contract 2
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ 12,500,000		$ 12,500,000	$ 12,500,000	$ 12,500,000
Fixed Interest Rate		3.43%		3.43%	3.43%	3.43%
SJG | Basis and Index related net purchase (sales) contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount (natural gas in mmcfe and electricity in mwh) | MMcfe						800,000
SJG | Expected future purchases
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount (natural gas in mmcfe and electricity in mwh)					0	9,300,000
SJG | Expected future sales
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount (natural gas in mmcfe and electricity in mwh)					0	300,000

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Fair V

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Fair Value of all Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	$ 49,718	$ 80,893
Liabilities	42,546	74,652
South Jersey Gas Company
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	7,666	5,807
Liabilities	11,815	8,737
Commodity Contract
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	49,718	80,893
Liabilities	0	0
Commodity Contract | South Jersey Gas Company
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	7,666	5,807
Liabilities	0	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	49,718	80,893
Liabilities	42,546	74,652
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP | South Jersey Gas Company
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	7,666	5,807
Liabilities	11,815	8,737
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP | Commodity Contract | Derivatives - Energy Related - Current
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	42,068	72,391
Liabilities	26,910	60,082
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP | Commodity Contract | Derivatives - Energy Related - Current | South Jersey Gas Company
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	7,608	5,434
Liabilities	4,467	1,372
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP | Commodity Contract | Derivatives - Energy Related - Non-Current
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	7,650	8,502
Liabilities	4,359	4,540
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP | Commodity Contract | Derivatives - Energy Related - Non-Current | South Jersey Gas Company
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	58	373
Liabilities	69	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP | Interest rate contracts | Derivatives - Other - Current
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Liabilities	798	681
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP | Interest rate contracts | Derivatives - Other - Current | South Jersey Gas Company
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Liabilities	398	386
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP | Interest rate contracts | Derivatives - Other - Noncurrent
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Liabilities	10,479	9,349
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP | Interest rate contracts | Derivatives - Other - Noncurrent | South Jersey Gas Company
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Liabilities	$ 6,881	$ 6,979

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Offset

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Offsetting Arrangements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Offsetting Derivative Assets [Abstract]
Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities	$ 49,718	$ 80,893
Offsetting Derivative Liabilities [Abstract]
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet	42,546	74,652
SJG
Offsetting Derivative Assets [Abstract]
Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities	7,666	5,807
Offsetting Derivative Liabilities [Abstract]
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet	11,815	8,737
Commodity Contract
Offsetting Derivative Assets [Abstract]
Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities	49,718	80,893
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet	49,718	80,893
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, Financial Instruments	(18,251)	(38,809)
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, Cash Collateral Posted	0	(3,474)
Net amount	31,467	38,610
Offsetting Derivative Liabilities [Abstract]
Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities	(31,269)	(64,622)
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet	(31,269)	(64,622)
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, Financial Instruments	18,251	38,809
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, Cash Collateral Posted	0	0
Net amount	(13,018)	(25,813)
Commodity Contract | SJG
Offsetting Derivative Assets [Abstract]
Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities	7,666	5,807
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet	7,666	5,807
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, Financial Instruments	(475)	(6)
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, Cash Collateral Posted	0	(3,587)
Net amount	7,191	2,214
Offsetting Derivative Liabilities [Abstract]
Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities	(4,536)	(1,372)
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet	(4,536)	(1,372)
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, Financial Instruments	475	6
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, Cash Collateral Posted	0	0
Net amount	(4,061)	(1,366)
Other
Offsetting Derivative Liabilities [Abstract]
Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities	(11,277)	(10,030)
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet	(11,277)	(10,030)
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, Financial Instruments	0	0
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, Cash Collateral Posted	0	0
Net amount	(11,277)	(10,030)
Other | SJG
Offsetting Derivative Liabilities [Abstract]
Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities	(7,279)	(7,365)
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet	(7,279)	(7,365)
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, Financial Instruments	0	0
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, Cash Collateral Posted	0	0
Net amount	$ (7,279)	$ (7,365)

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Effect

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Effect of Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Interest Rate Contracts:
Total	$ (4,580)	$ 9,221	$ 868	$ 5,849
Fair value of derivative instruments with credit-risk-related features	3,800		3,800
Additional collateral, aggregate fair value	2,400		2,400
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships under GAAP
Interest Rate Contracts:
Losses reclassified from AOCL into income	(12)	(82)	(2,511)	(250)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships under GAAP | SJG
Interest Rate Contracts:
Losses reclassified from AOCL into income	(12)	(12)	(36)	(36)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
Interest Rate Contracts:
(Losses) gains on energy-related commodity contracts	(4,632)	9,003	2,200	6,287
Losses on interest rate contracts	$ 52	$ 218	$ (1,332)	$ (438)

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSET56

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES - Measured on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets
Available-for-Sale Securities	$ 32	$ 32
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets	49,718	80,893
Total Assets	49,750	80,925
Liabilities
Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities	31,269	64,622
Derivatives - Other	11,277	10,030
Total Liabilities	42,546	74,652
SJG
Assets
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets	7,666	5,807
Total Assets	7,666	5,807
Liabilities
Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities	4,536	1,372
Derivatives - Other	7,279	7,365
Total Liabilities	11,815	8,737
Level 1
Assets
Available-for-Sale Securities	32	32
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets	5,950	33,994
Total Assets	5,982	34,026
Liabilities
Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities	2,690	16,502
Derivatives - Other	0	0
Total Liabilities	2,690	16,502
Level 1 | SJG
Assets
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets	525	4,767
Total Assets	525	4,767
Liabilities
Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities	475	6
Derivatives - Other	0	0
Total Liabilities	475	6
Level 2
Assets
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets	19,296	11,814
Total Assets	19,296	11,814
Liabilities
Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities	17,873	22,070
Derivatives - Other	11,277	10,030
Total Liabilities	29,150	32,100
Level 2 | SJG
Assets
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets	223	0
Total Assets	223	0
Liabilities
Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities	2,267	1,252
Derivatives - Other	7,279	7,365
Total Liabilities	9,546	8,617
Level 3
Assets
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets	24,472	35,085
Total Assets	24,472	35,085
Liabilities
Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities	10,706	26,050
Derivatives - Other	0	0
Total Liabilities	10,706	26,050
Level 3 | SJG
Assets
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets	6,918	1,040
Total Assets	6,918	1,040
Liabilities
Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities	1,794	114
Derivatives - Other	0	0
Total Liabilities	$ 1,794	$ 114

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSET57

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES - Quantitative Information Regarding Significant Unobservable Inputs (Details) - Forward Contracts - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / decatherm	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / decatherm
Natural Gas | Minimum
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Forward price (in dollars per dt) | $ / decatherm	1.05	1.03
Natural Gas | Minimum | South Jersey Gas Company
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Forward price (in dollars per dt) | $ / decatherm	2.37	3.25
Natural Gas | Maximum
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Forward price (in dollars per dt) | $ / decatherm	8.37	11.33
Natural Gas | Maximum | South Jersey Gas Company
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Forward price (in dollars per dt) | $ / decatherm	6.42	6.33
Natural Gas | Weighted Average
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Forward price (in dollars per dt) | $ / decatherm	2.87	2.71
Natural Gas | Weighted Average | South Jersey Gas Company
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Forward price (in dollars per dt) | $ / decatherm	4.60	5.09
Electricity | Minimum | On-Peak
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed electric load profile	36.36%	21.43%
Electricity | Minimum | Off-Peak
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed electric load profile	0.00%	0.00%
Electricity | Maximum | On-Peak
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed electric load profile	100.00%	100.00%
Electricity | Maximum | Off-Peak
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed electric load profile	63.64%	78.57%
Electricity | Weighted Average | On-Peak
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed electric load profile	52.98%	55.14%
Electricity | Weighted Average | Off-Peak
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed electric load profile	47.02%	44.86%
Discounted Cash Flow | Natural Gas
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Assets | $	$ 17,545	$ 23,301
Liabilities | $	7,587	18,109
Discounted Cash Flow | Natural Gas | South Jersey Gas Company
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Assets | $	6,918	1,040
Liabilities | $	1,794	114
Discounted Cash Flow | Electricity
Fair Value Inputs, Assets And Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Assets | $	6,927	11,784
Liabilities | $	$ 3,119	$ 7,941

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSET58

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES - Changes in Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 17,401	$ (2,096)	$ 9,035	$ (632)
Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net	1,352	10,404	8,346	8,346
Transfers out of Level 3	(206)		(954)
Settlements	(4,781)	(423)	(2,661)	171
Balance at end of period	13,766	7,885	13,766	7,885
SJG
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	6,933	(224)	926	183
Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net	(1,603)	730	5,330	506
Transfers out of Level 3	(206)		(206)
Settlements	0	0	(926)	(183)
Balance at end of period	$ 5,124	$ 506	$ 5,124	$ 506

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)	1 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017USD ($)bank	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate			7.50%
Medium-term notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount issued				$ 50,000,000
Agreement issuance amount				100,000,000
Medium-term notes | Series 2017A-1, Due August 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount issued				$ 25,000,000
Interest rate				3.22%
Medium-term notes | Series 2017B-1, Due August 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount issued				$ 25,000,000
Interest rate				3.46%
Medium-term notes | Series 2017A-2, Due January 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount issued				$ 25,000,000
Interest rate				3.32%
Medium-term notes | Series 2017B-2, Due January 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount issued				$ 25,000,000
Interest rate				3.56%
Unsecured promissory notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount issued						$ 16,000,000
Interest rate						2.71%
South Jersey Gas Company | Unsecured term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding debt			$ 196,000,000
South Jersey Gas Company | Credit Agreement | Unsecured term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit provided		$ 200,000,000
Credit agreement syndicated among number of banks | bank		7
South Jersey Gas Company | Medium-term notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount issued					$ 15,000,000
Interest rate					4.657%
South Jersey Gas Company | Medium-term notes | Series E, 2017, Due January 2047
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount issued		$ 200,000,000
Interest rate		3.00%
South Jersey Gas Company | Loans payable | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Pay down of multiple-draw term facility		$ 200,000,000
Marina | Unsecured promissory notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount redeemed	$ 62,300,000
Marina | Unsecured promissory notes | NJEDA, Variable Rate Demand Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount redeemed	61,400,000
Marina | Unsecured promissory notes | NJEDA, Thermal Energy Facilities Revenue Bonds, 2001 Project
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount redeemed	20,000,000
Marina | Unsecured promissory notes | NJEDA, Thermal Energy Facilities Federally Taxable Revenue Bonds, 2001 Project
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount redeemed	25,000,000
Marina | Unsecured promissory notes | NJEDA, Thermal Energy Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series 2006A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount redeemed	$ 16,400,000

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI60

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - Summary of Changes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				$ 1,289,240
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		$ 0		0
Amounts reclassified from AOCL		7		1,529
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax	[1]	7	$ 203	1,529	$ 407
Ending balance		$ 1,221,350		$ 1,221,350
Combined statutory tax rate		40.00%	40.00%	40.00%	40.00%
South Jersey Gas Company
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				$ 839,900
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		$ 0		0
Amounts reclassified from AOCL		7		21
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax	[2]	7	$ 45	21	$ 66
Ending balance		$ 922,931		$ 922,931
Combined statutory tax rate		40.00%	40.00%	40.00%	40.00%
Total
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ (25,859)		$ (27,381)
Ending balance		(25,852)		(25,852)
Postretirement Liability Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(25,342)		(25,342)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		0		0
Amounts reclassified from AOCL		0		0
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax		0		0
Ending balance		(25,342)		(25,342)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives-Other
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(410)		(1,932)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		0		0
Amounts reclassified from AOCL		7		1,529
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax		7		1,529
Ending balance		(403)		(403)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(10)		(10)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		0		0
Amounts reclassified from AOCL		0		0
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax		0		0
Ending balance		(10)		(10)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of Affiliated Companies
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(97)		(97)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		0		0
Amounts reclassified from AOCL		0		0
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax		0		0
Ending balance		(97)		(97)
Total | South Jersey Gas Company
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(14,920)		(14,934)
Ending balance		(14,913)		(14,913)
Postretirement Liability Adjustment | South Jersey Gas Company
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(14,417)		(14,417)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		0		0
Amounts reclassified from AOCL		0		0
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax		0		0
Ending balance		(14,417)		(14,417)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives-Other | South Jersey Gas Company
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(503)		(517)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		0		0
Amounts reclassified from AOCL		7		21
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax		7		21
Ending balance		$ (496)		$ (496)
[1]	Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of approximately 40%.
[2]	Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of approximately 40%.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI61

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - Reclassifications out of AOCL (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income Taxes	$ (24,765)	$ 2,807	$ (8,439)	$ 34,885
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	$ (7)		$ (1,529)
Combined statutory tax rate	40.00%	40.00%	40.00%	40.00%
South Jersey Gas Company
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income Taxes	$ (3,688)	$ (2,007)	$ 27,654	$ 26,812
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	$ (7)		$ (21)
Combined statutory tax rate	40.00%	40.00%	40.00%	40.00%
Unrealized Loss in on Derivatives - Other - Interest Rate Contracts designated as cash flow hedges | South Jersey Gas Company
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	$ (7)		$ (21)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Loss on Derivatives-Other - interest rate contracts designated as cash flow hedges
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income Taxes	(5)		(982)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			(1,529)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Loss in on Derivatives - Other - Interest Rate Contracts designated as cash flow hedges | South Jersey Gas Company
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income Taxes	(5)		(15)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	7		21
Interest Charges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Loss on Derivatives-Other - interest rate contracts designated as cash flow hedges
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Unrealized Loss on Derivatives-Other - interest rate contracts designated as cash flow hedges	12		2,511
Interest Charges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Loss in on Derivatives - Other - Interest Rate Contracts designated as cash flow hedges | South Jersey Gas Company
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Unrealized Loss on Derivatives-Other - interest rate contracts designated as cash flow hedges	$ 12		$ 36

SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Details)

SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Details) $ in Billions	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)
Scenario, Forecast | Elizabethtown Gas and Elkton Gas | Subsequent event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Payments to acquire businesses	$ 1.7