EXHIBIT 12 (A) PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC AND GAS COMPANY COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Years Ended December 31, ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- (Thousands of Dollars) Earnings as Defined in Regulation S-K: Net Income 475,936 614,868 659,406 616,964 535,071 Federal Income Taxes (A) 223,782 307,414 301,447 325,737 267,619 Fixed Charges 411,493 401,046 408,045 418,825 437,812 ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Earnings 1,111,211 1,323,328 1,368,898 1,361,526 1,240,502 ============ =========== =========== =========== =========== Fixed Charges as Defined in Regulation S-K (B) Total Interest Expense (C) 401,902 389,956 395,925 406,869 398,581 Interest Factor in Rentals 9,591 11,090 12,120 11,956 11,490 Subsidiaries' Preferred Securities Dividend Requirements -- 27,741 -- -- -- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Fixed Charges 411,493 401,046 408,045 418,825 437,812 ============ =========== =========== =========== =========== Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 2.70 3.30 3.35 3.25 2.83 ============ =========== =========== =========== =========== Notes: (A) Includes state income taxes and federal income taxes for other income. (B) Fixed Charges represent (a) interest, whether expensed or capitalized, (b) amortization of debt discount, premium and expense, (c) an estimate of interest implicit in rentals, and (d) Preferred Securities Dividend Requirements of subsidiaries. (C) Excludes 1992 interest expense on decommissioning cost of $5,208.