Exhibit 24


                            SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Each of the undersigned, in his capacity as an officer or director, or
both, as the case may be, of South Jersey Gas Company, a New Jersey
corporation, does hereby appoint Charles Biscieglia, David A. Kindlick and
George L. Baulig, and each of them, severally, as his or her true and lawful
attorneys or attorney to execute in his or her name, place and stead, in his or
her capacity as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of said
corporation, its Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 on
Form 10-K, pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
any and all amendments thereto and instruments necessary or incidental in
connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange
Commission; and does hereby provide that each of said attorneys shall have
power to act hereunder with or without the other said attorneys, and shall have
full power of substitution and resubstitution and that each of said attorneys
shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf
of the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever required to
be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he or she
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said
attorneys and each of them.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument, this
30th day of March 2000.



                                  /s/ Charles Biscieglia
                                  Charles Biscieglia, President and CEO



                                  /s/ Shirli M. Billings
                                  Shirli M. Billings, Director



                                  /s/ Sheila H. Coco
                                  Sheila H. Coco, Director



                                  /s/ Richard L. Dunahm
                                  Richard L. Dunham, Director



                                  /s/ Clarence D. McCormick
                                  Clarence D. McCormick, Director




                                                                    Exhibit 24


Power of Attorney -- 10-K                                          Page 2 of 2




                                  /s/ Frederick R. Raring
                                  Frederick R. Raring, Director



                                  /s/ George L. Baulig
                                  George L. Baulig, Senior Vice President &
                                  Corporate Secretary



                                  /s/ David A. Kindlick
                                  David A. Kindlick, Senior Vice President