================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 Commission File Number 000-22211
SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New Jersey 21-0398330
(State of incorporation) (IRS employer identification no.)
1 South Jersey Plaza, Folsom, New Jersey 08037
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(609) 561-9000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to
this Form 10-K. [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes [ ] No [X]
All of the equity securities of the registrant are owned by South Jersey
Industries, Inc., its parent company, a 1934 Act reporting company named in the
registrants description of its business, which has itself fulfilled its 1934 Act
filing requirements.
During the preceding 36 months (and any subsequent period of days) there has not
been any default in (1) any of the indebtedness of the registrant or its
subsidiaries, and (2) the payment of rentals under material long-term leases (of
which there are none).
The registrant meets all of the conditions set forth in General Instruction I
1(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this
form with the reduced disclosure format.
Documents Incorporated by Reference: None
================================================================================
PART I
Item 1. Business
----------------
General
The registrant, South Jersey Gas Company (SJG), a New Jersey
corporation, is an operating public utility. All of the common equity securities
of SJG are owned by South Jersey Industries, Inc. (SJI), its parent company,
which is itself a 1934 Act reporting company.
Financial Information About Industry Segments
Not applicable.
Description of Business
SJG is an operating public utility company engaged in the purchase,
transmission and sale of natural gas for residential, commercial and industrial
use in an area of approximately 2,500 square miles in the southern part of New
Jersey. SJG also sells natural gas and pipeline transportation capacity
(off-system sales) on a wholesale basis to various customers on the interstate
pipeline system and transports natural gas purchased directly from producers or
suppliers by some of its customers.
SJG's service territory includes 112 municipalities throughout
Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem Counties and portions of Burlington,
Camden and Gloucester Counties, with an estimated permanent population of 1.2
million.
SJG serves 304,562 residential, commercial and industrial customers (at
December 31, 2003) in southern New Jersey. Gas sales, transportation and
capacity release for 2003 amounted to 125,024 MMcf (million cubic feet), of
which 54,397 MMcf was firm sales and transportation, 2,467 MMcf was
interruptible sales and transportation and 68,160 MMcf was off-system sales and
capacity release. The breakdown of firm sales includes 29.1% residential, 9.9%
commercial, 1.4% cogeneration and electric generation, .4% industrial and 59.2%
transportation. At year-end 2003, SJG served 283,722 residential customers,
20,405 commercial customers and 435 industrial customers. This includes 2003 net
additions of 7,743 residential customers, 439 commercial customers and 6
industrial customers.
Under an agreement with Conectiv Inc., an electric utility serving
southern New Jersey, SJG supplies natural gas to several electric generation
facilities. This gas service is provided under the terms of a firm electric
service tariff approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) on a
demand/commodity basis. In 2003, .8 Bcf (billion cubic feet) was delivered under
this agreement.
SJG serviced 6 cogeneration facilities in 2003. Combined sales and
transportation of natural gas to such customers amounted to approximately 3.8
Bcf in 2003.
SJG makes wholesale gas sales for resale to gas marketers for ultimate
delivery to end users. These "off-system" sales are made possible through the
issuance of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Orders No. 547 and
636. Order No. 547 issued a blanket certificate of public convenience and
necessity authorizing all parties, which are not interstate pipelines, to make
FERC jurisdictional gas sales for resale at negotiated rates, while Order No.
636 allowed SJG to deliver gas at delivery points on the interstate pipeline
system other than its own city gate stations and release excess pipeline
capacity to third parties. During 2003, off-system sales amounted to 27.0 Bcf.
Also in 2003, capacity release and storage throughput amounted to 41.1 Bcf.
Supplies of natural gas available to SJG that are in excess of the
quantity required by those customers who use gas as their sole source of fuel
(firm customers) make possible the sale and transportation of gas on an
interruptible basis to commercial and industrial customers whose equipment is
-2-
capable of using natural gas or other fuels, such as fuel oil and propane. The
term "interruptible" is used in the sense that deliveries of natural gas may be
terminated by SJG at any time if this action is necessary to meet the needs of
higher priority customers as described in SJG's tariffs. Usage by interruptible
customers, excluding off-system customers, in 2003 amounted to approximately 2.5
Bcf, approximately 2.0 percent of the total throughput.
No material part of SJG's business is dependent upon a single customer
or a few customers.
SJG Capital Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, was a wholly owned
subsidiary of SJG, which had the sole purpose of issuing beneficial interests in
its assets (Preferred Securities). The proceeds of selling such Preferred
Securities were invested in Deferrable Interest Subordinated Debentures issued
by SJG. SJG was the guarantor of such Preferred Securities. On November 5, 2003
the 8.35% Preferred Securities were redeemed at a price of $25 per preferred
security plus interest in accordance with the terms of the Preferred Securities.
In 2003, SJG made no public announcement of, or otherwise made public
information about, a new product or industry segment that would require the
investment of a material amount of the assets of SJG or which otherwise was
material.
Service Territory
The majority of SJG's residential customers reside in the northern and
western portions of its service territory in Burlington, Camden, Salem and
Gloucester counties. A majority of new customers reside in this section of the
service territory, which includes the residential suburbs of Wilmington and
Philadelphia. The franchise area to the east is centered on Atlantic City and
the neighboring resort communities in Atlantic and Cape May counties, which
experience large population increases in the summer months. The impact of the
casino gaming industry on the Atlantic City area has resulted in the creation of
new jobs and the expansion of the residential and commercial infrastructure
necessary to support a developing year-round economy. Construction was completed
at the beginning of July on the first new casino/hotel in 13 years, emphasizing
the continued expansion of the gaming and hospitality industry in New Jersey.
Manufacturers or processors of sand, glass, farm products, paints,
chemicals and petroleum products are located in the western and southern sectors
of the service territory. New commercial establishments and high technology
industrial parks and complexes are part of the economic growth of this area.
SJG's service area includes parts of the Pinelands region, a largely undeveloped
area in the heart of southern New Jersey. Future construction in this area is
expected to be limited by statute and by a master plan adopted by the New Jersey
Pinelands Commission; however, in terms of potential growth, significant
portions of SJG's service area are not affected by these limitations.
Rates and Regulation
As a public utility, SJG is subject to regulation by the New Jersey
Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Additionally, the Natural Gas Policy Act, which
was enacted in November 1978, contains provisions for Federal regulation of
certain aspects of SJG's business. SJG is affected by Federal regulation with
respect to transportation and pricing policies applicable to its pipeline
capacity from Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Corporation, SJG's major supplier,
Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation, Columbia Gulf Transmission Company,
Dominion Transmission, Inc., and Texas Gas Transmission Corporation, since such
services are provided under rates and terms established under the jurisdiction
of the FERC.
Retail sales by SJG are made under rate schedules within a tariff filed
with and subject to the jurisdiction of the BPU. These rate schedules provide
primarily for either block rates or demand/commodity rate structures. The tariff
contains provisions permitting the recovery of environmental remediation costs
associated with former manufactured gas plant sites, energy efficiency and
-3-
renewable energy program costs, consumer education program costs and low income
program costs. These costs are recovered through SJG's Societal Benefits Clause.
The tariff also allows for the adjustment of revenues due to the impact of
"temperature" fluctuations. In addition, the tariff contains provisions
permitting SJG to pass on to customers increases and decreases in the cost of
purchased gas supplies. The cost of gas purchased from the utility by consumers
has historically been set annually by the BPU under a Levelized Gas Adjustment
Clause (LGAC) within SJG's tariff. As recently approved by the BPU, in the
future gas costs will be recovered through Basic Gas Supply Service ("BGSS").
When actual gas costs experienced by SJG are less than those charged to
customers under BGSS, customer bills in the subsequent BGSS period(s) are
adjusted to provide credits for the overrecovery with interest. When actual gas
costs are more than is recovered through rates, SJG is permitted to charge
customers more for gas in future periods for the underrecovery.
In February 1999, the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (the
Act) was signed into law in New Jersey. This bill created the framework and
necessary time schedules for the restructuring of the state's electric and
natural gas utilities. The Act established unbundling, where redesigned utility
rate structures allow natural gas and electric consumers to choose their energy
supplier. It also established time frames for instituting competitive services
for customer account functions and for determining whether basic gas supply
services should become competitive.
In January 2000, the BPU approved full unbundling of SJG's system. This
allows all natural gas consumers to select their natural gas supplier. Customers
choosing to purchase natural gas from providers other than the utility are
charged for the cost of gas by the marketer, not the utility. The resulting
decrease in SJG's revenues is offset by a corresponding decrease in gas costs.
While customer choice can reduce utility revenues, it does not negatively affect
SJG's net income or financial condition. The BPU continues to allow for full
recovery of natural gas costs.
In December 2002, the BPU approved the Basic Gas Supply Service price
structure. BGSS is the gas supply service being provided by the natural gas
utility. Upon implementation of BGSS in 2003, customers have the ability to make
more informed decisions regarding their choices of an alternate supplier by
having a utility price structure that is more consistent with market conditions.
Further, BGSS provides SJG with more pricing flexibility, through automatic rate
changes, conceptually resulting in the reduction of over/under-recoveries.
Although the BGSS approved price structure replaced the current pricing
structure in the LGAC, all other LGAC mechanisms, such as, but not limited to,
deferred accounting treatment and the allowance for full recovery of natural gas
costs, remain in place under BGSS.
The Act also contains numerous provisions requiring the BPU to
promulgate and adopt a variety of standards related to implementing the Act.
These required standards address fair competition, affiliate relations,
accounting, competitive services, supplier licensing, consumer protection and
aggregation. In March 2000, the BPU issued Interim Standards in response to the
Act. The BPU has undertaken an extensive comment, meeting and audit process to
address the concerns of all impacted parties. SJG actively participated in the
process, and as such we believe that to date the final standards have not had,
nor will they have in the future, a material adverse affect on the company.
In August 2002, SJG filed a petition with the BPU seeking to transfer
its appliance service business from the regulated utility into a newly created
unregulated, limited liability company. If approved, the newly created company
would have the flexibility to be more responsive to competition and its
customers and further its service offerings in an unregulated environment.
In August 2003, SJG filed a base rate case with the BPU to increase its
base rate to obtain a certain level of return on its investment of capital. SJG
expects the rate case to be concluded during 2004. SJG has not sought a base
rate increase from the BPU since the implementation of its base rate case
approved in January 1997.
Additional information on regulatory affairs is incorporated by
reference to Notes 1, 2, 6, 11 and 13 of SJG's financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2003. See Item 8.
-4-
Raw Materials
Transportation Contracts and Storage
------------------------------------
SJG has direct connections to two interstate pipeline companies,
Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Corporation (Transco) and Columbia Gas
Transmission Corporation (Columbia). During 2003, SJG purchased and had
delivered approximately 51.7 Bcf of natural gas for distribution to both
on-system and off-system customers. Of this total, 38.4 Bcf was transported on
the Transco pipeline system and 13.3 Bcf was transported on the Columbia
pipeline system. SJG also secures firm transportation and other long term
services from three additional pipelines upstream of the Transco and Columbia
systems. They include: Columbia Gulf Transmission Company (Columbia Gulf), Texas
Gas Transmission Corporation (Texas Gas) and Dominion Transmission Inc.
(Dominion). Services provided by these upstream pipelines are utilized to
deliver gas into either the Transco or Columbia systems for ultimate delivery to
SJG. Services provided by all of the above mentioned pipelines are subject to
the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC).
Transco:
Transco is SJG's largest supplier of long-term gas transmission
services. These services include five year-round and one seasonal firm
transportation (FT) service arrangements. When combined, these services enable
SJG to purchase from third parties and have delivered to its city gate stations
by Transco a total of 169,589 Thousand Cubic Feet of gas per day (Mcf/d). The
terms of the year-round agreements extend for various periods from 2004 to 2010
while the term of the seasonal agreement extends to 2011.
SJG also has seven long-term gas storage service agreements with
Transco that, when combined, are capable of storing approximately 10.1 Bcf.
Through these services, SJG can inject gas into market area storage during
periods of low demand and withdraw gas at a rate of up to 86,973 Mcf per day
during periods of high demand. The terms of the storage service agreements
extend for various periods from 2004 to 2017.
Dominion:
Effective April 1, 2003, SJG regained control of its Dominion GSS
Storage Service which had been released to Sempra Energy Trading Corporation.
This storage service provided a maximum withdrawal capacity of 9,662 Mcf/d
during the period between November 16th and March 31st of winter season with
408,696 Mcf of storage capacity. Gas is delivered through both the Dominion and
Transco pipeline systems.
Columbia:
SJG has two firm transportation agreements with Columbia which, when
combined, provide for 43,500 Mcf/d of firm deliverability.
SJG also subscribes to a firm storage service from Columbia, to March
31, 2009, which provides a maximum withdrawal quantity of 51,102 Mcf/d during
the winter season with an associated 3,355,557 Mcf of storage capacity.
Gas Supplies
------------
SJG has two long-term gas supply agreements with a single producer and
marketer that expire in 2006. Under these agreements, SJG can purchase up to
6,798,628 Mcf of natural gas per year. When advantageous, SJG can purchase spot
supplies of natural gas in place of or in addition to those volumes reserved
under long-term agreements. In recent years, SJG replaced long-term gas supply
contracts with short-term agreements. The short-term agreements are typically
for several months in duration.
-5-
Supplemental Gas Supplies
-------------------------
During 2003, SJG entered into a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)liquefaction
service agreement with a third party provider which extends through March, 2004.
SJG's contract quantity under the agreement is 186,047 Mcf. LNG supplied by this
vendor is transported to SJG's McKee City, New Jersey LNG storage facility by
truck.
SJG operates peaking facilities which can store and vaporize LNG for
injection into its distribution system. SJG's LNG facility has a storage
capacity equivalent to 404,000 Mcf of natural gas and has an installed capacity
to vaporize up to 90,000 Mcf of LNG per day for injection into its distribution
system.
SJG also operates a high pressure pipe storage field at its McKee City
facility which is capable of storing 12,000 Mcf of gas and injecting up to
10,000 Mcf/d of gas per day into SJG's distribution system.
Peak-Day Supply
---------------
SJG plans for a winter season peak-day demand on the basis of an
average daily temperature of 2 degrees F. Gas demand on such a design day was
estimated for the 2003-2004 winter season to be 496,304 Mcf. SJG projects that
it has adequate supplies and interstate pipeline entitlements to meet its design
requirements. On January 23, 2003, SJG experienced its highest peak-day demand
for the year of 403,575 Mcf with an average temperature of 15.35 degrees F.
Natural Gas Prices
------------------
SJG's average cost of natural gas purchased in 2003, 2002 and 2001,
including demand charges was $6.74 per Mcf, $4.46 per Mcf and $6.80 per Mcf,
respectively.
Patents and Franchises
SJG holds nonexclusive franchises granted by municipalities in the
seven county area of southern New Jersey that it serves. No other natural gas
public utility presently serves the territory covered by SJG's franchises.
Otherwise, patents, trademarks, licenses, franchises and concessions are not
material to the business of SJG or its subsidiary.
Seasonal Aspects
SJG experiences seasonal fluctuations in sales when selling natural gas
for heating purposes. SJG meets this seasonal fluctuation in demand from its
firm customers by buying and storing gas during the summer months, and by
drawing from storage and purchasing supplemental supplies during the heating
season. As a result of this seasonality, SJG's revenues and net income are
significantly higher during the first and fourth quarters than during the second
and third quarters of the year.
Working Capital Practices
Reference is made to "Liquidity and Capital Resources" included in Item
7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition.
Customers
No material part of SJG's business is dependent upon a single customer
or a few customers, the loss of which would have a material adverse effect on
any such business. See Item 1, "Service Territory."
-6-
Backlog
Backlog is not material to an understanding of SJG's business.
Government Contracts
No material portion of SJG's business is subject to renegotiation of
profits or termination of contracts or subcontracts at the election of any
government.
Competition
SJG's franchises are non-exclusive, however, currently no other utility
is providing natural gas service within its territory. SJG competes with oil,
propane and electricity suppliers for residential, commercial and industrial
users. The market for natural gas commodity sales is subject to competition as a
result of deregulation. Through its tariff, SJG has promoted competition while
maintaining its margins. Substantially all of SJG's profits are from the
transportation rather than the sale of the commodity. SJG has maintained its
focus on being a low-cost provider of natural gas and energy services. SJG also
competes with other marketers/brokers in the selling of wholesale natural gas
services.
Research
During the last three fiscal years, SJG did not engage in research
activities to any material extent.
Environmental Matters
Information on environmental matters is incorporated by reference to
Note 13 to SJG's financial statements for the year ended December
31, 2003. See Item 8.
Employees
SJG had a total of 578 employees as of December 31, 2003 Of that
total, 377 employees are unionized. 328 and 49 are covered under collective
bargaining agreements that expire in January 2005 and January 2008,
respectively.
Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales
SJG has no foreign operations and export sales are not a part of its
business.
Item 2. Properties
------------------
The principal property of SJG consists of its gas transmission and
distribution systems that include mains, service connections and meters. The
transmission facilities carry the gas from the connections with Transco and
Columbia to SJG's distribution systems for delivery to customers. As of December
31, 2003, there were approximately 92 miles of mains in the transmission systems
and 5,358 miles of mains in the distribution systems.
SJG owns office and service buildings, including its corporate
headquarters, at seven locations in the territory. There is also a liquefied
natural gas storage and vaporization facility at one of those locations.
As of December 31, 2003, the SJG utility plant had a gross book value
of $894.6 million and a net book value, after accumulated depreciation, of
$639.6 million. In 2003, $53.2 million was spent on additions to utility plant
and there were retirements of property having an aggregate gross book cost of
$5.4 million. Construction and remediation expenditures for 2004 are currently
expected to approximate $67.8 million.
-7-
Virtually all of SJG's transmission pipeline, distribution mains and
service connections are in streets or highways or on the property of others. The
transmission and distribution systems are maintained under franchises or permits
or rights-of-way, many of which are perpetual. SJG's properties (other than
property specifically excluded) are subject to a lien of mortgage under which
its first mortgage bonds are outstanding. We believe these properties are well
maintained and in good operating condition.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
-------------------------
SJG is subject to claims which arise in the ordinary course of its
business and other legal proceedings. We accrue liabilities related to these
claims when we can determine the amount or range of amounts of likely settlement
costs for these claims. We also maintain insurance and record probable insurance
recoveries relating to outstanding claims. Management of SJG believes that any
pending or potential legal proceedings will not materially affect its
operations, financial position, or liquidity.
Item 4. Submission Of Matters To A Vote of Security Holders
-----------------------------------------------------------
Not applicable.
-8-
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and
----------------------------------------------------
Related Stockholder Matters
---------------------------
Common equity securities of SJG, owned by its parent company, South
Jersey Industries, Inc., are not traded on any stock exchange. SJG has preferred
stock outstanding but shares are not traded on a public exchange.
SJG is restricted under its First Mortgage Indenture, as supplemented,
as to the amount of cash dividends or other distributions that may be paid on
its common stock. As of December 31, 2003, these restrictions did not affect the
amount that may be distributed from SJG's retained earnings. No dividends were
declared on SJG's common stock in 2003 and $10.7 million were declared in 2002.
If preferred stock dividends are in arrears, no dividends may be
declared or paid, or other distribution made on the common stock of SJG. If four
or more quarterly dividends are in arrears, the Preferred Shareholders may elect
a majority of SJG's directors. See Note 4 of SJG's financial statements for
additional information on Capitalization. See Item 8.
-9-
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
-------------------------------
The following financial data has been obtained from SJG's audited
financial statements:
(In Thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Revenues $528,066 $417,263 $475,461 $445,818 $348,074
=============================================================
Operating Income $65,420 $60,874 $60,462 $62,619 $58,304
=============================================================
Income before Preferred Dividend
Requirement and Discontinued Operations 26,743 23,357 21,666 22,006 20,529
Preferred Dividend Requirements -135 -135 -139 -151 -162
-------------------------------------------------------------
Income from Continuing Operations 26,608 23,222 21,527 21,855 20,367
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations 0 -29 -207 -76 15
-------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income Applicable to Common Stock $26,608 $23,193 $21,320 $21,779 $20,382
=============================================================
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding 2,339,139 2,339,139 2,339,139 2,339,139 2,339,139
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1) 3.3x 2.9x 2.6x 2.6x 2.5x
As of December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (2) $684,823 $651,486 $622,115 $592,250 $562,921
=============================================================
Total Assets (2) $946,282 $916,400 $898,604 $878,146 $783,368
=============================================================
Capitalization:
Common Equity (3) $269,800 $214,224 $205,982 $197,101 $182,122
Preferred Stock (4) 1,690 1,690 1,690 1,804 2,044
Long-Term Debt (4) 263,781 235,098 266,329 241,063 219,643
-------------------------------------------------------------
Total $535,271 $451,012 $474,001 $439,968 $403,809
=============================================================
<FN>
(1) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges represents, on a pre-tax basis, the number of times earnings cover
fixed charges. Earnings consist of net income, to which has been added fixed charges and taxes based on
income of the company before discontinued operations. Fixed charges consist of interest charges and
preferred securities dividend requirements and an interest factor in rentals on a pre-tax basis.
(2) Prior years have been restated as cost of removal has been reclassified from Accumulated Depreciation to Other
Liabilities ( see new accounting pronouncements in Note 1 to the financial statements).
(3) Included are cash contributions to capital as follows: 2003 - $20.0 million; 2002 - $2.5 million; 2001 - $7.0 million;
2000 - $8.0 million; 1999 - $15.0 million.
(4) Prior years have been restated to reclassify $35.0 million of Company Guaranteed Mandatorily Redeemable
Preferred Securities of Subsidiary Trust, in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 46 ( See new accounting
pronouncements in Note 1 to the financial statements).
</FN>
-10-
Comparative statistical data related to revenues and gas throughput is as
follows:
SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY COMPARATIVE OPERATING STATISTICS
2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
----------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
Operating Revenues (Thousands):
Firm
Residential $ 193,725 $ 174,252 $ 201,531 $ 172,418 $ 152,946
Commercial 58,749 52,300 76,416 49,669 35,064
Industrial 5,635 4,512 4,250 5,265 4,879
Cogeneration & Electric Generation 6,513 9,363 7,405 11,016 8,496
Firm Transportation 74,080 49,436 29,565 38,213 33,125
----------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
Total Firm 338,702 289,863 319,167 276,581 234,510
Interruptible 1,682 1,142 1,485 1,695 1,645
Interruptible Transportation 1,121 1,567 1,268 1,531 1,724
Off-System 176,555 115,714 145,530 160,208 104,142
Capacity Release & Storage 6,686 5,365 5,596 4,411 4,193
Other 3,320 3,612 2,415 1,392 1,860
----------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
Total Operating Revenues $ 528,066 $ 417,263 $ 475,461 $ 445,818 $ 348,074
=========== ============ ============= ============ ============
Throughput (MMcf):
Firm
Residential 15,843 15,519 17,390 19,124 17,741
Commercial 5,351 5,273 7,544 6,191 4,634
Industrial 212 202 248 282 246
Cogeneration & Electric Generation 777 1,986 1,519 2,046 2,316
Firm Transportation 32,214 26,470 22,085 26,114 25,143
----------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
Total Firm Throughput 54,397 49,450 48,786 53,757 50,080
----------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
Interruptible 220 198 207 207 383
Interruptible Transportation 2,247 3,189 2,638 3,022 3,628
Off-System 27,041 29,980 30,117 38,097 42,480
Capacity Release & Storage 41,119 38,048 27,187 37,445 29,247
----------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
Total Throughput 125,024 120,865 108,935 132,528 125,818
=========== ============ ============= ============ ============
Number of Customers at Year End:
Residential 283,722 275,979 268,046 261,621 254,601
Commercial 20,405 19,966 19,542 19,319 18,894
Industrial 435 429 420 410 404
----------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
Total Customers 304,562 296,374 288,008 281,350 273,899
=========== ============ ============= ============ ============
Maximum Daily Sendout (MMcf) 422 344 326 375 324
=========== ============ ============= ============ ============
Annual Degree Days 4,929 4,380 4,495 4,942 4,468
=========== ============ ============= ============ ============
Normal Degree Days * 4,613 4,625 4,625 4,639 4,664
=========== ============ ============= ============ ============
<FN>
* Average degree days recorded in SJG service territory during 20-year period ended June 30 of prior year.
</FN>
-11-
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
----------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Financial Condition
----------------------------------
Overview
South Jersey Gas Company (SJG) is a regulated natural gas utility. SJG
distributed natural gas in the seven southernmost counties of New Jersey to
304,562 customers at December 31, 2003 compared with 296,374 customers at
December 31, 2002. SJG also:
o sells natural gas and pipeline transportation capacity (off-system
sales) on a wholesale basis to various customers on the interstate
pipeline system;
o transports natural gas purchased directly from producers or suppliers
for its own sales and for some of its customers; and
o services appliances via the sale of appliance warranty programs as
well as on a time and materials basis.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains certain forward-looking statements concerning
projected financial and operating performance, future plans and courses of
action and future economic conditions. All statements in this report other than
statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are made based upon management's expectations and
beliefs concerning future events impacting the company and involve a number of
risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not
guarantees and actual results could differ materially from those expressed or
implied in the forward-looking statements. Also, in making forward-looking
statements, we assume no duty to update these statements should expectations
change or actual results and events differ from current expectations.
A number of factors could cause our actual results to differ materially
from those anticipated including, but not limited to, the following: general
economic conditions on an international, national, state and local level;
weather conditions in our marketing areas; changes in commodity costs; changes
in the availability of natural gas; regulatory and court decisions; competition
in our utility and nonutility activities; the availability and cost of capital;
costs and effects of legal proceedings and environmental liabilities; the
failure of customers or suppliers to fulfill their contractual obligations; and
changes in business strategies.
Critical Accounting Policies
Estimates and Assumptions:
- -------------------------
As described in the footnotes to our financial statements,
management must make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported
in the financial statements and related disclosures. Actual results could differ
from those estimates. Four types of transactions presented in our financial
statements require a significant amount of judgment and estimation. These relate
to regulatory assets, environmental remediation costs, postretirement employee
benefit costs and unbilled revenues.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has reviewed and
approved, through specific orders, most of the items shown as regulatory assets.
Other items represent costs that were not yet approved by the BPU for recovery,
but are the subject of current filings. In recording these costs as regulatory
assets, management believes the costs are probable of recovery under existing
rate-making concepts that are embodied in current rate orders received by SJG.
However, ultimate recovery is subject to BPU approval.
-12-
An outside consulting firm assists us in estimating future costs for
environmental remediation activities. We estimate future costs based on
projected investigation and work plans using existing technologies. Developing a
single reliable estimation point is not feasible because of the amount of
uncertainty involved in the nature of projected remediation efforts and the long
period over which remediation efforts will continue. Therefore, we estimate the
range of future costs at $51.0 million to $162.3 million. In preparing financial
statements, we record liabilities for future costs using the lower end of the
range. We update estimates each year to take into account past efforts, changes
in work plans and remediation technologies.
The costs of providing postretirement employee benefits are impacted by
actual plan experience as well as assumptions of future experience. Employee
demographics, plan contributions, investment performance, and actuarial
assumptions concerning return on plan assets, discount rates and health care
cost trends all have a significant impact on determining our projected benefit
obligations. Actuarial assumptions are evaluated annually with the assistance of
our investment manager and actuary and adjusted accordingly. These adjustments
could result in significant changes to the net periodic benefit cost of
providing such benefits and the related liability recognized by SJG.
A majority of SJG's customers have their meters read on a cycle basis
throughout the month. As a result, recognized revenues include estimates as
described below.
Revenue Recognition:
- -------------------
SJG bills customers monthly for gas delivered and recognizes those
revenues during the month. For SJG customers that are not billed at the end of
each month, we make an accrual to recognize revenues for gas delivered from the
date of the last meter reading to the end of the month. We bill our customers at
rates approved by the BPU.
We defer and recognize revenues related to SJG's appliance service
contracts over the full 12-month term of the contract as earned.
The BPU allows us to recover gas costs in rates through the Basic Gas
Supply Service (BGSS) price structure (formerly known as the Levelized Gas
Adjustment Clause). We defer over/under-recoveries of gas costs and include them
in subsequent adjustments to the BGSS rate or other similar rate recovery
mechanism. These adjustments result in over/under-recoveries of gas costs being
included in rates during future periods. As a result of these deferrals, utility
revenue recognition does not directly translate to profitability. While we
realize profits on gas sales during the month of providing the utility service,
significant shifts in revenue recognition may result from the various recovery
clauses approved by the BPU (See Recent Regulatory Actions) without shifting
profits between periods, as these clauses provide for recovery of costs on a
dollar-for-dollar basis.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See detailed discussions concerning New Accounting Pronouncements and
their impact on SJG in Note 1 to the Financial Statements.
Temperature Adjustment Clause
A Board of Public Utilities approved Temperature Adjustment Clause
(TAC) decreased SJG's net income by $1.7 million in 2003. The TAC increased net
income by $2.3 million and $2.0 million in 2002 and 2001, respectively. The
clause is designed to mitigate the effect of variations in heating season
temperatures from historical norms. While we record the revenue and income
impacts of TAC adjustments as incurred, cash inflows or outflows directly
attributable to TAC adjustments generally do not begin until the next clause
year. Each TAC year begins October 1.
-13-
Recent Regulatory Actions
In November 2001, SJG filed for a $2.7 million rate increase to recover
the cash related to a prior net deficiency in the Temperature Adjustment Clause
(TAC). Additionally, in September 2002, SJG filed for an $8.6 million rate
increase to recover the cash related to a TAC deficiency resulting from
warmer-than-normal weather for the 2001-2002 winter. As a result of the
colder-than-normal 2002-2003 winter, the cumulative TAC deficiency decreased to
$5.7 million. In August 2003, the BPU approved the recovery of the $5.7 million
TAC deficiency, effective September 1, 2003.
During 2002, the BPU convened a gas policy group to address Basic Gas
Supply Service (BGSS), which is the gas supply service being provided by the
natural gas utility. In December 2002, the BPU approved the proposed BGSS price
structure. The BGSS approved price structure replaced the Levelized Gas
Adjustment Clause (LGAC) pricing structure. The LGAC was structured to reset gas
charges to consumers once per year. The BGSS resets gas prices monthly for
larger customers, and for smaller customers permits multiple resets each year,
if certain conditions are met. With the implementation of BGSS in March 2003,
customers can make more informed decisions about choosing an alternate supplier
by having a utility pricing structure that more currently reflects market
conditions. Further, BGSS provides SJG with more pricing flexibility, through
self-implementing rate changes under certain conditions and limitations,
conceptually resulting in the reduction of over/under-recoveries. LGAC-related
mechanisms, such as deferred accounting treatment, the sharing of pre-tax
margins generated by interruptible and off-system sales and transportation, and
the allowance for full recovery of prudently incurred natural gas costs, remain
in place under BGSS.
In August 2002, SJG filed for a Societal Benefits Clause (SBC) rate
increase. The SBC recovers costs related to BPU-mandated programs and
environmental remediation costs that are recovered through SJG's Remediation
Adjustment Clause; energy efficiency and renewable energy program costs that are
recovered through SJG's New Jersey Clean Energy Programs; consumer education
program costs; and the interim low income program costs. In August 2003, the BPU
approved a $6.7 million increase to SJG's SBC, effective September 1, 2003. This
approval increases the current annual recovery level of $6.7 million to $13.4
million.
Also in August 2002, SJG filed a petition with the BPU to transfer its
appliance service business from the regulated utility into a newly created
unregulated company. As filed, the newly created company would have the
flexibility to be more responsive to competition and customer needs by expanding
and modifying its service offerings in an unregulated environment.
In September 2002, SJG filed with the BPU to maintain its current BGSS
rate through October 2003. However, due to price increases in the wholesale
market, in February 2003, SJG filed an amendment to the September 2002 filing.
In April 2003, the BPU approved a $16.6 million increase to SJG's annual gas
cost revenues.
In March 2003, the BPU approved a statewide Universal Service Fund
(USF) program on a permanent basis. In June 2003, the BPU established a
statewide program through which funds for the USF and Lifeline Credit and
Tenants Assistance (Lifeline) Programs would be collected from customers of all
electric and gas utilities in the state. The BPU ordered that utility rates be
set to recover a total statewide USF budget of $33.0 million, and a total
Lifeline budget of $72.0 million. Recovery rates for both programs were
implemented on August 1, 2003.
In July 2003, SJG made its annual BGSS filing, as amended, with the
BPU. Due to further price increases in the wholesale market, SJG filed for a
$24.0 million increase to its annual gas cost revenues. In August 2003, the BPU
approved SJG's price increase on a provisional basis, subject to refund with
interest, effective September 1, 2003.
-14-
In August 2003, SJG filed a base rate case with the BPU to increase its
base rate to obtain a certain level of return on its investment of capital. SJG
expects the rate case to be concluded during 2004. SJG has not sought a base
rate increase from the BPU since the implementation of its base rate case
approval in January 1997.
Filings and petitions described above are still pending unless
otherwise indicated. Additional discussion concerning Regulatory Actions can be
found in Note 2 to the Financial Statements.
Environmental Remediation:
- -------------------------
We incurred and recorded costs for environmental clean up of sites
where SJG or its predecessors operated manufactured gas plants (MGP). SJG
stopped manufacturing gas in the 1950s. We successfully entered into settlements
with all of SJG's historic comprehensive general liability carriers regarding
environmental remediation expenditures at former MGP sites. As part of these
settlements, SJG purchased an insurance policy that caps its remediation
expenditures at 11 of these sites. The insurance policy is in force until 2024
at 10 sites and until 2029 at one site.
We believe that all costs incurred net of insurance recoveries relating
to the MGP sites will be recovered through rates under SJG's Remediation
Adjustment Clause (RAC). The RAC currently permits SJG to recover incurred costs
in equal installments over 7-year periods with carrying costs. As of December
31, 2003, SJG has $4.1 million of remediation costs not yet recovered through
rates.
Other matters are incorporated by reference to Note 13 to the Financial
Statements included as part of this report.
Competition
SJG's franchises are non-exclusive. Currently, no other utility
provides retail gas distribution services within our territory. We do not expect
any other utilities to do so in the foreseeable future because of the extensive
investment required for utility plant and related costs. SJG competes with oil,
propane and electricity suppliers for residential, commercial and industrial
users. The market for natural gas sales is subject to competition due to
deregulation. We enhanced SJG's competitive position while maintaining margins
by using an unbundled tariff. This tariff allows full cost-of-service recovery,
except for the variable cost of the gas commodity, when transporting gas for our
customers. Under this tariff, SJG profits from transporting, rather than
selling, the commodity. SJG's residential, commercial and industrial customers
can choose their supplier while we recover the cost of service through
transportation service (see Customer Choice Legislation).
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities
SJG's statutory trust affiliate, SJG Capital Trust, had issued $35
million of 8.35% SJG-Guaranteed Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities. The
securities traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SJI.T until
being redeemed in November 2003.
Customer Choice Legislation
All residential natural gas customers in New Jersey can choose their
gas supplier under the terms of the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act
of 1999. As of December 31, 2003, 102,563 SJG residential customers chose a
natural gas commodity supplier other than the utility. This number increased
from 88,219 at December 31, 2002 as marketers were able to offer natural gas at
prices competitive with those available under regulated utility tariffs.
Customers purchasing natural gas from providers other than SJG are charged for
gas costs by the marketer, not SJG. The resulting decrease in SJG's revenues is
offset by a corresponding decrease in SJG's gas costs. While customer choice can
reduce utility revenues, it does not negatively affect SJG's net income or
financial condition. The BPU continues to allow for full recovery of prudently
incurred natural gas costs through the Basic Gas Supply Service clause as well
as other costs of service including deferred costs, through tariffs.
-15-
Results of Operations
Operating Revenues:
- ------------------
Revenues increased $110.8 million compared with the prior year. This
increase was primarily due to four factors. First, weather was 12.5% colder than
last year. Second, Off-System Sales revenues increased significantly as a direct
result of higher prices for natural gas sold in 2003 than in the prior year.
Third, we added 8,188 customers in 2003. Finally, the BPU approved two increases
in SJG's Basic Gas Supply Service clause to address the recovery of the
increasing prices of natural gas sold in 2003 and an increase in SJG's Societal
Benefits Clause recoveries to fund State sponsored programs (See Recent
Regulatory Actions). Partially offsetting the effect of these factors was a
16.3% increase in the number of residential customers purchasing their gas from
a source other than SJG. The decline in customers who purchased their natural
gas from SJG directly impacted utility revenues. However, since gas costs are
passed on directly to customers without any profit margin added by SJG, the
increased customer usage of gas marketers did not impact SJG's profitability.
Revenues decreased $58.2 million in 2002 compared with 2001. The
decrease was primarily due to the migration of residential customers from firm
gas sales to transportation, lower revenue from Off-System Sales and weather in
2002 that was 2.6% warmer than 2001. These factors more than offset the revenue
increase derived from adding 8,366 customers in 2002, the largest increase in
more than a decade. During 2002, the number of residential customers who
purchased natural gas from third-party marketers increased by 121% as those
marketers were able to offer competitive gas prices in 2002 in comparison with
SJG's prices.
As a result of SJG's Temperature Adjustment Clause (TAC), revenues from
utility ratepayers are closely tied to 20-year normal temperatures calculated
under the clause and not actual temperatures. While the clause significantly
reduces fluctuations in revenues related to temperature, as a general rule,
revenues continue to be positively impacted by colder weather and negatively
impacted by warmer weather. Weather in 2003 was 12.5% colder than in 2002 and
3.8% colder than the 20-year TAC average. Weather in 2002 was 2.6% warmer than
2001 and 7.8% warmer for the year than the 20-year TAC average.
Total gas throughput increased 3.4% to 125.0 billion cubic feet (Bcf)
in 2003. The higher throughput was primarily due to the addition of 8,188
customers and colder weather experienced in 2003. Total gas throughput increased
11.0% to 120.9 Bcf in 2002. The higher throughput was almost entirely due to
increased capacity release throughput. Warm weather in 2002 resulted in reduced
demand for natural gas and the need for pipeline capacity to transport that gas.
Consequently, SJG had more capacity available to sell in 2002 than 2001.
Gas Purchased for Resale:
- ------------------------
Gas purchased for resale increased $98.4 million in 2003 compared with
2002 due principally to a significant increase in costs for both local
distribution and Off-System Sales. SJG's gas cost during 2003 averaged $6.46 per
decatherm (dt) compared with $4.29/dt in 2002 and $6.54/dt in 2001. Unlike gas
costs associated with Off-System Sales, changes in the unit cost of gas sold to
utility ratepayers do not directly affect cost of gas sold. We defer
fluctuations in gas costs to ratepayers not reflected in current rates to future
periods under a BPU-approved Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) price structure,
formerly known as the Levelized Gas Adjustment Clause. As described under Recent
Regulatory Actions, the BPU approved two increases to SJG's BGSS clause during
2003 resulting in higher cost of gas sold and related revenue.
SJG's cost of gas sold decreased $61.4 million in 2002 compared with
2001. Lower gas costs and sales volumes for both local distribution and
Off-System Sales were responsible for the decrease. SJG passed lower gas costs
on to local distribution customers through a $17.6 million refund in 2002.
Warmer weather and the migration of customer gas purchases from the utility to
third-party marketers were the main causes of lower sales volumes.
-16-
Gas supply sources include contract and open-market purchases. SJG
secures and maintains its own gas supplies to serve its sales customers. We do
not anticipate any difficulty renewing or replacing expiring contracts under
substantially similar terms and conditions.
Operations:
- ----------
A summary of net changes in operations (in thousands):
2003 vs. 2002 2002 vs. 2001
------------- -------------
Other Production Expense $ 36 $ 47
Transmission 59 30
Distribution (114) 590
Customer Accounts and Services 1,427 1,889
Sales 139 90
Administration and General 4,224 398
----------- -----------
Total Operations $ 5,771 $ 3,044
=========== ===========
Distribution expenses decreased in 2003 as internal labor costs were
directed more toward capital improvement activities as compared with last year.
Distribution expenses increased in 2002 as the cost to maintain the utility
distribution system, inclusive of implementation of new federally mandated
training programs, increased over 2001.
Customer Accounts and Services expense increased significantly in 2003
as a result of the BPU-approved increase in SJG's Societal Benefits Clause (SBC)
in August 2003 (See Recent Regulatory Actions). With this approval, recoveries
and a corresponding charge to expense for previously deferred costs under SJG's
New Jersey Clean Energy Programs increased by $1.8 million in 2003 when compared
with 2002. The BPU-approved SBC clause allows for full recovery of these
deferred costs including carrying costs and, as a result, the increase in
expense has no impact on SJG's net income. This increase was partially offset by
lower bad debt expense in 2003 as SJG's reserve for bad debts did not require an
increase as it had in 2002.
Customer Accounts and Services expense increased significantly in 2002
primarily due to higher bad debt expense as customer account write-offs rose and
SJG increased its reserve for bad debts. The higher write-off level was
attributable to the unusually cold 2000-2001 winter season. In addition, the
colder start to the 2002-2003 winter season resulted in the need to increase the
reserve for future uncollectible account balances.
Administrative and General (A&G) expenses increased in 2003 compared
with 2002 primarily because of increasing health care and pension costs, higher
insurance expense, higher stock compensation expense and bank fees. Health care
and pension costs increased nearly $1.7 million from 2002 to 2003 as the cost of
providing such benefits continues to increase at alarming rates. Additionally,
declines in long-term interest rates resulted in an unfavorable movement in
actuarially determined benefit costs (See Note 10 to the Financial Statements).
Insurance expense was reduced by $0.9 million in 2002 by lowering SJG's reserve
for outstanding claims following a period of favorable settlements. Finally,
SJG had incurred higher annual expense associated with incentive compensation
awards and additional expense associated with establishing committed bank
facilities in 2003 (See Liquidity and Capital Resources). A&G expenses also
increased in 2002 compared with 2001 primarily as a result of increasing health
care and pension costs. These increases were partially offset by the decrease in
SJG's insurance claims reserve as previously discussed.
-17-
Other Operating Expenses:
A summary of principal changes in other operating expenses (in
thousands):
2003 vs. 2002 2002 vs. 2001
------------- -------------
Maintenance $ (423) $ (1,670)
Depreciation 1,313 1,214
Energy and Other Taxes 1,150 180
Maintenance expense decreased in both 2003 and 2002 primarily due to
lower levels of Remediation Adjustment Clause (RAC) amortization. RAC-related
expenses do not affect earnings as an offsetting amount is recognized in
revenues. Depreciation was higher due to SJG's increased investment in property,
plant and equipment. The increase in Energy and Other Taxes relate primarily to
increases in volumes of gas sold and transported by SJG as reflected under the
caption, "Operating Revenues."
Other Income and Expense:
- ------------------------
Other income and expense was higher in 2002 compared with 2003 and 2001
due to a pre-tax gain of $686,000 on the sale of stock received as a result of
the demutualization of Prudential's mutual life insurance company. Both 2002 and
2001 were negatively impacted by negative returns on our available-for-sale
securities.
Interest Charges:
- ----------------
Interest charges decreased in both 2003 and 2002 compared with the
prior year due primarily to reductions in short-term rates on line of credit
borrowings and the refunding of higher priced, fixed rate, long-term debt with
lower cost debt. These refundings were financed during the second half of 2003
with long-term debt issuances under our Medium Term Note program at
significantly lower interest rates compared with the previous long-term interest
rates. We have incurred debt primarily to expand and upgrade SJG's gas
transmission and distribution system, and to support seasonal working capital
needs related to gas inventories and customer receivables.
Discontinued Operations:
- -----------------------
In 2001, we formally discontinued the merchandising segment of our
operations, which consisted of retail sales of natural gas appliances. The loss
in 2001 was primarily due to the cost associated with discontinuing these
activities. Additional losses in 2002 were the result of reevaluating the
reserve for future cost necessary to complete the exit of this segment of
operations and recognizing that additional future costs will be incurred.
Net Income Applicable to Common Stock:
- -------------------------------------
Net income increased $3.4 million, or 14.6%, to $26.6 million in 2003
as compared with $23.2 million in 2002. Net income in 2002 increased $1.9
million, or 8.8%, as compared with $21.3 million in 2001. Reasons for the
increases in net income in 2003 and 2002 are discussed in detail above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources:
- -------------------------------
Liquidity needs at SJG are driven by factors that include natural gas
commodity prices; the impact of weather on customer bills; lags in fully
collecting gas costs from customers under the Basic Gas Supply Service charge;
the timing of construction and remediation expenditures and related permanent
financings; mandated tax payment dates; and both discretionary and required
repayments of long-term debt.
-18-
We first seek to meet liquidity needs with net cash provided by
operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $79.3
million, $72.6 million and $15.1 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
Net cash provided by operating activities varies from year to year primarily due
to the impact of weather on customer demand and related gas purchases, inventory
utilization and gas cost recoveries. We utilize short-term borrowings under
lines of credit from commercial banks to supplement cash from operations where
necessary.
Bank credit available to SJG totaled $176.0 million at December 31,
2003, of which $87.2 million was used. Those bank facilities consist of a $100.0
million, 3-year revolving credit and $76.0 million of uncommitted bank lines.
The revolving credits were established in August 2003 with a syndicate of banks
to enhance the liquidity position of SJG. Based upon the existing credit
facilities and a regular dialogue with our banks, we believe that there will
continue to be sufficient credit available to meet our business' future
liquidity needs.
SJG supplements its operating cash flow and credit lines with both debt
and equity capital. Over the years, SJG has used long-term debt, primarily in
the form of First Mortgage Bonds, to finance its long-term borrowing needs.
These needs are primarily capital expenditures for property, plant and
equipment. Since 1998, SJG has financed these needs via a 3-year Medium Term
Note (MTN) program, secured in similar fashion to the First Mortgage Bonds.
SJG's registration of a $150.0 million MTN program with the Securities and
Exchange Commission became effective in December 2002. This program replaced the
previous $100.0 million MTN program that was fully used in 2001. In July 2003,
SJG issued $85.5 million of long-term debt under the program. In September, SJG
issued an additional $24.5 million of MTNs. Consequently, $40.0 million of the
MTN program remains available for future debt issuances. Proceeds of the July
and September issues were used to refinance short-term debt outstanding under
commercial bank lines and for the redemption of certain high-rate First Mortgage
Bonds. Current maturities on long-term debt over the next five years are $5.3
million per year in 2004 through 2007 and $3.0 million in 2008.
SJI contributed $20.0 million, $2.5 million and $7.0 million of capital
to SJG during 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Contributions of capital are
credited to Other Paid-in Capital and Premium on Common Stock.
Capital Expenditures, Commitments and Contingencies
Capital Expenditures:
- --------------------
SJG has a continuing need for cash resources and capital, primarily to
invest in new and replacement facilities and equipment and for environmental
remediation costs. Net construction and remediation expenditures for 2003
amounted to $51.8 million. We estimate the net costs for 2004, 2005 and 2006 at
approximately $67.8 million, $54.9 million and $50.5 million, respectively.
Commitments and Contingencies:
- -----------------------------
SJG has certain commitments for both pipeline capacity and gas supply
for which it pays fees regardless of usage. Those commitments as of December 31,
2003 average $45.0 million annually and total $251.6 million over the contracts'
lives. Approximately 14% of the financial commitment under these contracts
expires during the next five years. We expect to renew each of these contracts
under renewal provisions as provided in each contract. SJG recovers all
prudently incurred fees through rates via the Basic Gas Supply Service clause.
SJG's long-term, senior secured debt is rated "A" and "Baa1" by
Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Services, respectively. These ratings
have not changed in the past five years.
-19-
The following table summarizes our contractual cash obligations and their applicable payment due dates (in thousands):
Up to 1 - 3 3 - 5 More than
Contractual Obligations Total 1 Year Years Years 5 Years
----------------------- ----- ------ ----- ----- -------
Long-Term Debt $ 269,054 $ 5,273 $ 10,546 $ 8,270 $ 244,965
Operating Leases 952 405 431 85 31
Construction Obligations 3,857 3,857 - - -
Commodity Supply
Purchase Obligations 251,600 44,500 80,700 70,400 56,000
Other Purchase Obligations 1,785 1,082 703 - -
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Contractual Cash Obligations $ 527,248 $ 55,117 $ 92,380 $ 78,755 $ 300,996
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Expected environmental remediation costs are not included in the table
above due to the subjective nature of such costs and time of anticipated
payments.
SJG is subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of business and
other legal proceedings. We accrue liabilities related to claims when we can
determine the amount or range of amounts of likely settlement costs for those
claims. Management does not currently anticipate the disposition of any known
claims to have a material adverse effect on SJG's financial position, results of
operations or liquidity.
Market Risks
Commodity Market Risks:
- ----------------------
SJG is a regulated utility. As such, we recover gas commodity costs
under the Basic Gas Supply Service Clause that is part of our tariff. While SJG
is protected from gas cost fluctuations by the clause, we do not utilize forward
contracts to shield our customers from gas cost fluctuations.
Interest Rate Risk:
- ------------------
Our exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to short-term,
variable rate borrowings. Our short-term, variable rate debt outstanding at
December 31, 2003 was $87.2 million and averaged $89.0 million during 2003. The
months where outstanding variable rate debt was at its highest and lowest points
were January at $155.3 million and October at $27.1 million. A hypothetical 100
basis point (1%) increase in interest rates on our average variable rate debt
outstanding would result in a $525,000 increase in our annual interest expense,
net of tax. We chose the 100 basis point increase for illustrative purposes, as
it provides a simple basis for calculating the impact of interest rate changes
under a variety of interest rate scenarios. Over the past five years, the change
in basis points (b.p.) of our average monthly interest rates from the beginning
to end of each year was as follows: 2003 - 31 b.p. decrease; 2002 - 74 b.p.
decrease; 2001 - 383 b.p. decrease; 2000 - 83 b.p. increase; and 1999 - 81 b.p.
increase. For December 2003, our average interest rate on variable rate debt was
1.86%. Consequently, the interest rate reduction experienced since the beginning
of 2001 cannot be duplicated.
To reduce exposure to an interest rate increase on our variable rate
debt, SJG entered into an interest rate swap agreement that became effective in
June 2003, which fixed the rate on $20.0 million of variable rate debt through
May 2004 at 2.24%. SJG primarily issues long-term debt at fixed rates and,
consequently, interest expense on existing debt is not significantly impacted by
changes in market interest rates. SJG prepaid, at par, $3.0 million of 8.6%
debenture notes in February 2003. In May 2003, SJG redeemed an additional $5.1
million of 10.25% First Mortgage Bonds prior to scheduled maturity. SJG paid a
premium of $110,000 to redeem that issue. In October 2003, SJG redeemed in full
its 6.95% First Mortgage Bonds prior to scheduled maturity. To redeem the $31.9
million of outstanding bonds, SJG paid a premium of $1.0 million.
-20-
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
The company's ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the
periods indicated is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
3.3x 2.9x 2.6x 2.6x 2.5x
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges represents, on a pre-tax basis,
the number of times earnings covers fixed charges. Earnings consist of net
income, to which has been added fixed charges and taxes based on income of the
company before discontinued operations. Fixed charges consist of interest
charges and preferred securities dividend requirements and an interest factor in
rentals.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
section entitled "Market Risks" in Item 7 on page 20 of this Form 10-K.
-21-
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
---------------------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Shareholder and Board of Directors of
South Jersey Gas Company:
We have audited the balance sheets of South Jersey Gas Company as of December
31, 2003 and 2002, and the related statements of income, common equity and
comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2003. Our audits also included the financial statement
schedules listed in the Index at Item 15(a)2. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedules based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of South Jersey Gas Company as of December 31,
2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also,
in our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation
to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly
in all material respects the information set forth therein.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 18, 2004
-22-
SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In Thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
-------------------------------------------------
Operating Revenues (Notes 1, 2 & 3) $528,066 $417,263 $475,461
-------------- -------------- --------------
Operating Expenses:
Gas Purchased for Resale 372,851 274,405 335,783
Operations 48,729 42,958 39,914
Maintenance 5,678 6,101 7,771
Depreciation (Note 1) 23,663 22,350 21,136
Energy and Other Taxes (Notes 1 & 5) 11,725 10,575 10,395
-------------- -------------- --------------
Total Operating Expenses 462,646 356,389 414,999
-------------- -------------- --------------
Operating Income 65,420 60,874 60,462
Other Income and Expense 111 333 (54)
Interest Charges 19,304 20,613 23,188
-------------- -------------- --------------
Income Before Income Taxes 46,227 40,594 37,220
Income Taxes (Notes 1, 5 & 6) 19,619 17,372 15,693
-------------- -------------- --------------
Income from Continuing Operations 26,608 23,222 21,527
Loss from Discontinued Operations - Net (Note 12) - (29) (207)
-------------- -------------- --------------
Net Income Applicable to Common Stock $ 26,608 $ 23,193 $ 21,320
============== ============== ==============
<FN>
The accompanying footnotes are an integral part of the financial statements.
</FN>
-23-
SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In Thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Income Applicable to Common Stock $ 26,608 $ 23,193 $ 21,320
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Flows
Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization 26,627 24,730 23,407
Provision for Losses on Accounts Receivable 3,084 3,664 2,067
Revenues and Fuel Costs Deferred - Net 29,874 6,788 (9,202)
Deferred and Non-Current Income Taxes and Credits - Net 1,225 11,096 5,154
Environmental Remediation Costs - Net 2,323 6,361 5,643
Additional Pension Contributions (5,200) (15,851) (190)
Changes in:
Accounts Receivable 6,854 (20,569) 38,337
Inventories (18,065) 18,670 (27,790)
Prepayments and Other Current Assets 1,118 (636) (159)
Prepaid and Accrued Taxes - Net 4,888 3,518 1,772
Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities 515 11,977 (47,146)
Other - Net (531) (381) 1,868
------------- -------------- -------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 79,320 72,560 15,081
------------- -------------- -------------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Return of Investment in Affiliate 1,082 - -
Capital Expenditures, Cost of Removal and Salvage (54,100) (50,677) (48,720)
Purchase of Available-for-Sale Securities (339) (693) (766)
------------- -------------- -------------
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (53,357) (51,370) (49,486)
------------- -------------- -------------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net (Repayments of) Borrowing from Lines of Credit (66,700) 18,400 21,600
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt 110,000 - 35,000
Principal Repayments of Long-Term Debt (86,740) (30,268) (11,877)
Premium on Acquisiton of Debt (1,048) (617) -
Dividends on Common Stock - (10,700) (17,501)
Payments for Issuance of Long-Term Debt (1,845) (201) (1,256)
Additional Investment by Shareholder 20,000 2,500 7,000
------------- -------------- -------------
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities (26,333) (20,886) 32,966
------------- -------------- -------------
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents (370) 304 (1,439)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period 3,580 3,276 4,715
------------- -------------- -------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $ 3,210 $ 3,580 $ 3,276
============= ============== =============
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest (Net of Amounts Applicable to LGAC/BGSS
Overcollections and Amounts Capitalized) $ 19,805 $ 23,710 $ 26,268
Income Taxes (Net of Refunds) $ 14,060 $ 4,779 $ 5,886
<FN>
The accompanying footnotes are an integral part of the financial statements.
</FN>
-24-
SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In Thousands)
December 31,
-------------------------------
2003 2002
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Property, Plant and Equipment: (Notes 1, 3 & 7)
Utility Plant, at original cost $ 894,654 $ 846,865
Accumulated Depreciation (209,831) (195,379)
-------------- -------------
Property, Plant and Equipment - Net 684,823 651,486
-------------- -------------
Investments:
Available-for-Sale Securities 4,497 3,407
Investment in Affiliate - 1,082
-------------- -------------
Total Investments 4,497 4,489
-------------- -------------
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents (Notes 1 & 9) 3,210 3,580
Accounts Receivable (Notes 2 & 3) 48,412 61,845
Unbilled Revenues (Note 1) 31,070 27,570
Provision for Uncollectibles (3,263) (3,258)
Natural Gas in Storage, average cost 59,432 40,769
Materials and Supplies, average cost 3,559 4,157
Prepaid Taxes (Note 1) 2,661 2,440
Prepaid Pension (Note 11) 18,206 -
Other Prepayments and Current Assets 2,317 3,435
-------------- -------------
Total Current Assets 165,604 140,538
-------------- -------------
Regulatory Assets: (Note 1)
Environmental Remediation Costs: (Notes 2 & 14)
Expended - Net 4,147 6,470
Liability for Future Expenditures 50,983 48,211
Gross Receipts and Franchise Taxes (Note 6) 1,367 1,811
Income Taxes - Flowthrough Depreciation (Note 6) 7,619 8,597
Deferred Fuel Cost - Net (Notes 1 & 2) 1,720 31,594
Deferred Postretirement Benefit Costs (Note 11) 3,402 3,780
Societal Benefit Costs (Notes 1 & 2) 7,529 5,956
Other Regulatory Assets 732 494
-------------- -------------
Total Regulatory Assets 77,499 106,913
-------------- -------------
Other Non-Current Assets:
Unamortized Debt Discount and Expense (Note 7) 6,383 5,660
Accounts Receivable - Merchandise 4,671 1,776
Other 2,805 5,538
-------------- -------------
Total Other Non-Current Assets 13,859 12,974
-------------- -------------
Total Assets $ 946,282 $ 916,400
============== =============
<FN>
The accompanying footnotes are an integral part of the financial statements.
</FN>
-25-
SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,
-------------------------------
2003 2002
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitalization and Liabilities
Common Equity: (Note 10)
Common Stock, Par Value $2.50 per share:
Authorized - 4,000,000 shares
Outstanding - 2,339,139 shares $ 5,848 $ 5,848
Other Paid-In Capital and Premium on Common Stock 155,317 135,317
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 279 (8,689)
Retained Earnings 108,356 81,748
-------------- -------------
Total Common Equity 269,800 214,224
-------------- -------------
Preferred Stock: (Note 4)
Redeemable Cumulative Preferred 8% Series - Par Value $100 per share,
Authorized 41,966 shares, Outstanding 16,904 shares 1,690 1,690
-------------- -------------
Long-Term Debt (Notes 7 & 8) 263,781 235,098
-------------- -------------
Total Capitalization 535,271 451,012
-------------- -------------
Current Liabilities:
Notes Payable (Note 9) 87,200 153,900
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Note 7) 5,273 10,696
Accounts Payable (Note 3) 40,954 43,066
Deferred Income Taxes - Net (Note 5) 6,694 19,844
Customer Deposits 7,957 6,924
Environmental Remediation Costs (Note 14) 7,630 4,852
Taxes Accrued (Note 2) 9,321 4,212
Derivatives 7 142
Interest Accrued and Other Current Liabilities 9,414 7,820
-------------- -------------
Total Current Liabilities 174,450 251,456
-------------- -------------
Deferred Credits and Other Non-Current Liabilities:
Deferred Income Taxes - Net (Note 5) 118,894 98,537
Environmental Remediation Costs (Note 14) 43,353 43,359
Regulatory Liabilities (Note 1) 49,880 3,133
Asset Retirement Obligation (Note 1) - 41,434
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Note 11) 11,336 14,205
Investment Tax Credits (Note 9) 3,471 3,819
Other 9,627 9,445
-------------- -------------
Total Deferred Credits and Other Non-Current Liabilities 236,561 213,932
-------------- -------------
Total Capitalization and Liabilities $ 946,282 $ 916,400
============== =============
<FN>
The accompanying footnotes are an integral part of the financial statements.
</FN>
-26-
SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCK EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In Thousands)
Other Paid-in Accumulated
Capital & Other
Common Premium on Comprehensive Retained
Stock Common Stock (Loss) Income Earnings Total
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2000 $ 5,848 $ 125,817 $ - $ 65,435 $ 197,100
Net Income Applicable to Common Stock 21,320 21,320
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax:*
Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment (1,939) (1,939)
-------------
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax* (1,939)
-------------
Comprehensive Income 19,381
Additional Investment by Shareholder 7,000 7,000
Cash Dividends Declared - Common Stock (17,500) (17,500)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001 5,848 132,817 (1,939) 69,255 205,981
Net Income Applicable to Common Stock 3,193 23,193
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax:*
Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment (6,517) (6,517)
Unrealized Loss on Equity Investments (149) (149)
Unrealized Loss on Derivatives (84) (84)
-------------
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax* (6,750)
-------------
Comprehensive Income 16,443
Additional Investment by Shareholder 2,500 2,500
Cash Dividends Declared - Common Stock (10,700) (10,700)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2002 5,848 135,317 (8,689) 81,748 214,224
Net Income Applicable to Common Stock 26,608 26,608
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:*
Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment 8,456 8,456
Unrealized Gain on Equity Investments 80 80
Unrealized Gain on Derivatives 432 432
-------------
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax* 8,968
-------------
Comprehensive Income 35,576
Additional Investment by Shareholder 20,000 20,000
Cash Dividends Declared - Common Stock - -
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2003 $ 5,848 $ 155,317 $ 279 $ 108,356 $ 269,800
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
*Determined using a combined statutory tax rate of 40.85%.
</FN>
-27-
SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
- ---------------------------------------------
The Entity - South Jersey Industries, Inc. (SJI) owns all of
the outstanding common stock of South Jersey Gas Company (SJG). SJG
reclassified some previously reported amounts to conform with current
year classifications.
Equity Investments - We classify equity investments purchased
as long-term investments as Available-for-Sale Securities on our
balance sheets and carry them at their fair value with any changes in
unrealized gains or losses included in Other Comprehensive Income
(Loss).
Estimates and Assumptions - We prepare our financial
statements to conform with generally accepted accounting principles.
Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts
reported in the financial statements and related disclosures.
Therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Regulation - SJG is subject to the rules and regulations of
the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU). We maintain our
accounts according to the BPU's prescribed Uniform System of Accounts
(See Note 2). SJG follows the accounting for regulated enterprises
prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement
No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation." In
general, Statement No. 71 allows deferral of certain costs and creation
of certain obligations when it is probable that such items will be
recovered from or refunded to customers in future periods.
Operating Revenues - We bill customers monthly for gas
deliveries. For retail customers not billed at the end of each month,
an accrual is made to recognize unbilled revenues from the date of the
last meter reading to the end of the month. We defer and recognize
revenues related to our appliance service contracts over the full
12-month term of the contract as earned.
The BPU allows SJG to recover gas costs through the Basic Gas
Supply Service (BGSS) clause. The BGSS-approved price structure
replaced the Levelized Gas Adjustment Clause (LGAC) pricing structure.
We collect these costs on a forecasted basis upon BPU order. SJG defers
over/under-recoveries of gas costs and includes them in the following
year's BGSS or other similar recovery mechanism. We pay interest on
overcollected BGSS balances based on SJG's approved return on rate base
(See Note 2).
Our tariff also includes a Temperature Adjustment Clause
(TAC), a Remediation Adjustment Clause (RAC) and a New Jersey Clean
Energy Program (CLEP). Our TAC reduces the impact of temperature
fluctuations on the Company and our customers. The RAC recovers
remediation costs of former gas manufacturing plants and the CLEP
recovers costs associated with our energy efficiency and renewable
energy programs. TAC adjustments affect revenue, income and cash flows
since colder-than-normal weather can generate credits to customers,
while warmer-than-normal weather can result in additional billings. RAC
adjustments do not directly affect earnings because we defer and
recover these costs through rates over 7-year amortization periods (See
Notes 2 & 13). CLEP adjustments are also deferred and do not affect
earnings, as these costs are recovered through rates on an ongoing
basis.
-28-
Property, Plant & Equipment - For regulatory purposes, utility
plant is stated at original cost. The cost of adding, replacing and
renewing property is charged to the appropriate plant account. The
Utility Plant balances as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 were comprised
of the following:
Thousands of Dollars
2003 2002
-------------- ------------
Utility Plant:
Production Plant $ 302 $ 302
Storage Plant 11,013 10,885
Transmission Plant 105,173 99,708
Distribution Plant 741,441 701,639
General Plant 30,977 28,890
Intangible Plant 1,856 1,856
------------- -------------
Utility Plant in Service 890,762 843,280
Construction Work in Progress 3,892 3,585
------------- -------------
Total Utility Plant $ 894,654 $ 846,865
===============================
Depreciation and Amortization - We depreciate utility plant on
a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining lives of the various
property classes. We periodically review and adjust these estimates as
required after BPU approval. The composite annual rate for all
depreciable utility property was approximately 2.9% in both 2003 and
2002, and 2.8% in 2001. Except for extraordinary retirements,
accumulated depreciation is charged with the cost of depreciable
utility property retired, less salvage (See New Accounting
Pronouncements).
Capitalized Interest - SJG capitalizes interest on
construction at its BPU-approved rate of return on rate base (See Note
2). SJG's capitalized interest totaled $0.6 million in 2003, $0.4
million in 2002 and $0.2 million in 2001.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - We review the carrying
amount of an asset for possible impairment whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that such amount may not be recoverable. For
the years ended 2003, 2002 and 2001, no such circumstances were
identified.
Derivative Instruments and Hedge Accounting - Effective
January 1, 2001, SJG adopted FASB Statement No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended. This
statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments, including those embedded in other contracts, and for
hedging activities. It requires that all derivatives, whether
designated as hedging relationships or not, must be recorded on the
balance sheet at fair value unless the derivative contracts qualify for
the normal purchase and sale exemption. If the derivative is designated
as a fair value hedge, we recognize the changes in the fair value of
the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk
in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, we
record the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the
derivative in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and
recognize it in the income statement when the hedged item affects
earnings. We recognize ineffective portions of changes in the fair
value of cash flow hedges in earnings.
No commodity related activities of SJG are considered subject
to the fair value recognition requirements of Statement No. 133, as
amended.
In May 2003, we entered into an interest rate swap contract
that effectively fixed the interest rate at 2.24% through May 20, 2004
on $20.0 million of our debt outstanding under bank lines.
-29-
We entered into this interest rate swap agreement to hedge the
exposure to increasing rates with respect to our variable rate debt.
The differential to be paid or received as a result of swap agreements
is accrued as interest rates change and is recognized as an adjustment
to interest expense. We account for this interest rate swap as cash
flow hedge. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the market value
of swaps was $7,000 and $142,000, respectively, which represents
the amount we would have to pay the counterparty to terminate the
contracts. We included these balances on the balance sheets under the
caption Derivatives. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, we calculated
the swaps to be highly effective; therefore, we recorded the offset to
the hedge liability, net of taxes, in Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss).
We determined the fair value of the interest rate swap
agreements using quotations from independent parties.
We have also identified other physical transactions that
qualify as derivatives. Management believes, however, based on its
interpretation of guidance issued, that as these derivative contracts
relate to the purchase and sale of natural gas, they qualify for the
normal purchases and normal sales exception and, therefore, are not
required to be marked to market.
New Accounting Pronouncements - In January 2003, SJG adopted
FASB Statement No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,"
which establishes accounting and reporting standards for legal
obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived
assets and the associated asset retirement costs. We have certain
easements and right-of-way agreements that qualify as legal obligations
under Statement No. 143. However, it is our intent to maintain these
agreements in perpetuity; therefore, no change in SJG's current
accounting practices is required related to these agreements.
SJG recovers certain asset retirement costs through rates
charged to customers as an approved component of depreciation expense.
As of December 31, 2002, SJG had accrued amounts in excess of actual
removal costs incurred totaling $41.4 million which we reclassified
from Accumulated Depreciation to Asset Retirement Obligation on the
balance sheets. As of December 31, 2003, SJG had accrued amounts in
excess of actual removal costs incurred totaling $45.2 million which,
in accordance with Statement No. 143, we reclassified to Regulatory
Liabilities on the balance sheets. The adoption of this statement did
not affect SJG's results of operations.
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. (FIN) 46,
"Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities." FIN 46 clarifies the
application of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, "Consolidated
Financial Statements," to certain entities in which equity investors do
not have the characteristics of controlling financial interest or do
not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its
activities without additional subordinated financial support from other
parties. Management has evaluated the impact of adopting FIN 46 and has
determined that SJG Capital Trust, which was established for the sole
purpose of issuing $35 million of mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities, could no longer be consolidated into SJI's financial
statements effective July 1, 2003. These securities were redeemed in
November 2003. Prior periods were restated to report the original
equity investment amount in SJG Capital Trust as a separate $1.1
million investment in an affiliate and the $36.1 million subordinated
debenture to SJG Capital Trust as debt on its balance sheet rather than
the $35 million of mandatorily redeemable preferred securities as
previously reported. The adoption of FIN 46 did not impact SJG's net
income or retained earnings for the periods reported.
In April 2003, the FASB issued Statement No. 149, "Amendment
of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,"
which is effective for certain contracts entered into or modified and
for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The
amendments set forth in Statement No. 149 require that certain
contracts with comparable characteristics be accounted for similarly.
We have determined there is no impact on our financial statements from
the provisions of this statement.
-30-
In May 2003, the FASB issued Statement No. 150, "Accounting
for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both
Liabilities and Equity." Statement No. 150 requires that certain types
of financial instruments be reported as liabilities by their issuers.
We adopted Statement No. 150 effective June 1, 2003. The adoption of
this statement had no impact on our financial position or results of
operation.
Income Taxes - Deferred income taxes are provided for all
significant temporary differences between book and taxable basis of
assets and liabilities (See Notes 5 & 6).
Regulatory Assets & Regulatory Liabilities - All significant
regulatory assets are separately identified on the balance sheets under
the caption Regulatory Assets. Each item that is separately identified
is being recovered through utility rate charges without a return on
investments over the following periods:
Years Remaining
Regulatory Asset As of December 31, 2003
---------------- -----------------------
Environmental Remediation Costs:
Expended - Net 7
Liability for Future Expenditures Not Applicable
Gross Receipts and Franchise Taxes 3
Income Taxes - Flowthrough Depreciation 8
Deferred Fuel Costs - Net Various
Deferred Postretirement Benefit Costs 9
Societal Benefit Costs Various
The majority of the assets reflected under the caption Other
Regulatory Assets are currently being recovered or are subject to
filings with the BPU requesting recovery. Management believes that all
such deferred costs are probable of recovery from ratepayers through
future utility rates.
Regulatory Liabilities at December 31, 2003 and 2002 consisted
of the following items:
Thousands of Dollars
2003 2002
----------- -----------
Excess Plant Removal Costs $ 45,241 $ -
Overcollected State Taxes 4,353 2,847
Other 286 286
----------- -----------
Total Regulatory Liabilities $ 49,880 $ 3,133
=========== ===========
Excess Plant Removal Costs represent amounts accrued in excess
of actual utility plant removal costs incurred to date (See New
Accounting Pronouncements). All other amounts are subject to being
returned to ratepayers in future rate proceedings.
Statements of Cash Flows - For purposes of reporting cash
flows, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three
months or less are considered cash equivalents.
2. REGULATORY ACTIONS:
- ---------------------
In January 1997, the BPU granted SJG rate relief, which was
predicated in part, upon a 9.62% rate of return on rate base, which
included an 11.25% return on common equity. This rate relief provides
for the recovery of cost of service, including deferred costs, through
base rates. Additionally, our threshold for sharing pre-tax margins
generated by interruptible and off-system sales and transportation
increased. Currently, we keep 100% of pre-tax margins up to the
-31-
threshold level of $7.8 million. The next $750,000 is credited to
customers through the Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) clause.
Thereafter, we keep 20% of the pre-tax margins as we have historically.
Effective January 10, 2000, the BPU approved full unbundling
of SJG's system. This allows all natural gas consumers to select their
natural gas commodity supplier. As of December 31, 2003, 102,563 of our
residential customers were purchasing their gas commodity from someone
other than SJG. Customers choosing to purchase natural gas from
providers other than the utility are charged for the cost of gas by the
marketer, not the utility. The resulting decrease in our revenues is
offset by a corresponding decrease in gas costs. While customer choice
can reduce utility revenues, it does not negatively affect our net
income or financial condition. The BPU continues to allow for full
recovery of prudently incurred natural gas costs through the BGSS.
Unbundling did not change the fact that SJG still recovers cost of
service, including deferred costs, through base rates.
In November 2001, SJG filed for a $2.7 million rate increase
to recover the cash related to a prior net deficiency in the
Temperature Adjustment Clause (TAC). Additionally, in September 2002,
we filed for an $8.6 million rate increase to recover the cash related
to a TAC deficiency resulting from warmer-than-normal weather for the
2001-2002 winter. As a result of the colder-than-normal 2002-2003
winter, the cumulative TAC deficiency decreased to $5.7 million. In
August 2003, the BPU approved the recovery of the $5.7 million TAC
deficiency, effective September 1, 2003.
In December 2001, the BPU approved recovery of SJG's October
31, 2001 underrecovered gas cost balance of $48.9 million plus accrued
interest since April 1, 2001 at a rate of 5.75%. As of December 31,
2003, the remaining deferred underrecovered balance totaled $16.1
million.
During 2002, the BPU convened a gas policy group to address
BGSS, which is the gas supply service being provided by the natural gas
utility. In December 2002, the BPU approved the proposed BGSS price
structure. The BGSS-approved price structure replaced the Levelized Gas
Adjustment Clause (LGAC) pricing structure. The LGAC was structured to
reset gas charges to consumers once per year. The BGSS resets gas
prices monthly for larger customers, and for smaller customers permits
multiple resets each year, if certain conditions are met. With the
implementation of BGSS in March 2003, customers can make more informed
decisions about choosing an alternate supplier by having a utility
pricing structure that more currently reflects market conditions.
Further, BGSS provides us with more pricing flexibility, through
self-implementing rate changes under certain conditions and
limitations, conceptually resulting in the reduction of
over/under-recoveries. LGAC-related mechanisms, such as deferred
accounting treatment, the sharing of pre-tax margins generated by
interruptible and off-system sales and transportation, and the
allowance for full recovery of prudently incurred natural gas costs,
remain in place under BGSS.
In August 2002, SJG filed for a Societal Benefits Clause (SBC)
rate increase. The SBC recovers costs related to BPU-mandated programs
and environmental remediation costs that are recovered through our
Remediation Adjustment Clause; energy efficiency and renewable energy
program costs that are recovered through our New Jersey Clean Energy
Programs; consumer education program costs; and the interim low income
program costs. In August 2003, the BPU approved a $6.7 million increase
to our SBC, effective September 1, 2003. This approval increases the
current annual recovery level of $6.7 million to $13.4 million.
Also in August 2002, SJG filed a petition with the BPU to
transfer its appliance service business from the regulated utility into
a newly created unregulated company. As filed, the newly created
company would have the flexibility to be more responsive to competition
and customer needs by expanding and modifying its service offerings in
an unregulated environment.
-32-
In September 2002, SJG filed with the BPU to maintain its
current BGSS rate through October 2003. However, due to price increases
in the wholesale market, in February 2003, we filed an amendment to the
September 2002 filing. In April 2003, the BPU approved a $16.6 million
increase to our annual gas costs recoveries.
In March 2003, the BPU approved a statewide Universal Service
Fund (USF) program on a permanent basis. In June 2003, the BPU
established a statewide program through which funds for the USF and
Lifeline Credit and Tenants Assistance (Lifeline) Programs would be
collected from customers of all electric and gas utilities in the
state. The BPU ordered that utility rates be set to recover a total
statewide USF budget of $33.0 million, and a total Lifeline budget of
$72.0 million. Recovery rates for both programs were implemented on
August 1, 2003.
In July 2003, SJG made its annual BGSS filing, as amended,
with the BPU. Due to further price increases in the wholesale market,
we filed for a $24.0 million increase to our annual gas cost revenues.
In August 2003, the BPU approved SJG's price increase on a provisional
basis, subject to refund with interest, effective September 1, 2003.
In August 2003, SJG filed a base rate case with the BPU to
increase its base rate to obtain a certain level of return on its
investment of capital. We expect the rate case to be concluded during
2004. We have not sought a base rate increase from the BPU since the
implementation of its base rate case approval in January 1997.
Filings and petitions described above are still pending unless
otherwise indicated.
3. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
- -----------------------------
SJG sells natural gas for resale to South Jersey Energy
Company (SJE) and South Jersey Resources Group, LLC (SJRG), SJI's
wholly owned subsidiaries. These sales comply with Section 284.402 of
the Regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Sales to SJE were approximately $25.9 million, $14.0 million and $7.2
million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001,
respectively. The amounts due from SJE relating to these sales were
$0.8 million, $3.6 million and $1.0 million at December 31, 2003, 2002
and 2001, respectively. Sales to SJRG were approximately $12.8 million,
$17.0 million and $23.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2003,
2002 and 2001, respectively. The amounts due from SJRG relating to
these sales were $ -0-, $4.1 million and $3.4 million at December 31,
2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
We also meet some of our gas purchasing requirements by
purchasing natural gas for resale from SJRG. Such purchases were
approximately $20.5 million, $11.7 million and $28.8 million for the
years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
Additionally, SJG purchased gas storage services from SJRG totaling
approximately $0.2 million and $0.6 million for the years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The amounts due to SJRG
relating to gas purchases and storage services were approximately $
-0-, $2.3 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001,
respectively.
In 2003, SJG also provided transportation services to Marina
Energy, LLC. Sales for these services were $71,000 and the amount due
at December 31, 2003 relating to such services was $48,000.
As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, income taxes due to SJI were
approximately $2.8 million and $3.7 million, respectively.
4. PREFERRED STOCK:
- ------------------
Redeemable Cumulative Preferred Stock - Annually, we are
required to offer to purchase 1,500 shares of our Cumulative Preferred
Stock, Series B, at par value, plus accrued dividends. We may not
-33-
declare or pay dividends or make distributions on our common stock if
preferred stock dividends are in arrears. Preferred shareholders may
elect a majority of our directors if four or more quarterly dividends
are in arrears.
5. INCOME TAXES:
- ---------------
SJG is included in the consolidated Federal income tax return
filed by SJI. The actual taxes, including credits, are allocated by SJI
to its subsidiaries, generally on a separate return basis. Total income
taxes applicable to operations differ from the tax that would have
resulted by applying the statutory Federal Income Tax rate to pre-tax
income for the following reasons:
Thousands of Dollars
2003 2002 2001
----------- ----------- ------------
Tax at Statutory Rate $ 16,319 $ 14,208 $ 13,027
Increase (Decrease) Resulting from:
State Income Taxes 3,137 2,847 2,367
Amortization of Investment Tax Credit (347) (347) (347)
Tax Depreciation under Book
Depreciation on Utility Plant 664 664 664
Other - Net (154) - (18)
----------- ----------- -----------
Income Taxes:
Continuing Operations 19,619 17,372 15,693
Discontinued Operations - (21) (144)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net Income Taxes $ 19,619 $ 17,351 $ 15,549
=========== =========== ===========
<FN>
The provision for Income Taxes is comprised of the following:
</FN>
Thousands of Dollars
2003 2002 2001
----------- ----------- -----------
Current:
Federal $ 12,143 $ 3,152 $ 7,332
State 6,251 3,124 3,206
----------- ---------- ----------
Total Current 18,394 6,276 10,538
----------- ---------- ---------
Deferred:
Federal -
Excess of Tax Depreciation Over
Book Depreciation - Net 10,752 9,609 4,659
Deferred Fuel Costs - Net (10,446) (3,728) 794
Environmental Costs - Net (184) (1,494) (1,852)
Alternative Minimum Tax 1,332 (66) 1,947
Prepaid Pension 1,496 5,343 -
Deferred Regulatory Costs 750 1,543 175
Other - Net (703) (1,021) (657)
State (1,425) 1,257 436
----------- ----------- -----------
Total Deferred 1,572 11,443 5,502
Investment Tax Credit (347) (347) (347)
----------- ----------- -----------
Income Taxes:
Continuing Operations 19,619 17,372 15,693
Discontinued Operations - (21) (144)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net Income Taxes $ 19,619 $ 17,351 $ 15,549
=========== =========== ===========
-34-
The net tax effect of temporary differences between the
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and
income tax purposes resulted in the following deferred tax liabilities
at December 31:
Thousands of Dollars
2003 2002
----------- ------------
Current:
Deferred Fuel Costs - Net $ 7,236 $ 20,368
Other (542) (524)
----------- -----------
Current Deferred Tax Liability - Net 6,694 19,844
----------- -----------
Non-Current:
Book Versus Tax Basis of Property 110,994 100,227
Prepaid Pension 7,138 6,716
Environmental 1,642 1,855
Deferred Regulatory Costs 4,687 3,873
Minimum Pension Liability - (5,840)
Deferred State Tax (2,146) (2,664)
Investment Tax Credit Basis Gross Up (1,891) (2,070)
Alternative Minimum Tax - (1,398)
Other (1,530) (2,162)
----------- -----------
Non-Current Deferred Tax Liability - Net 118,894 98,537
----------- -----------
$ 125,588 $ 118,381
=========== ===========
As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, income taxes due to SJI were
approximately $2.8 million and $3.7 million, respectively.
6. FEDERAL AND OTHER REGULATORY TAX ASSETS AND DEFERRED CREDITS:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
The primary asset created by adopting FASB Statement No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes," was Income Taxes - Flowthrough
Depreciation in the amount of $17.6 million as of January 1, 1993. This
amount represented excess tax depreciation over book depreciation on
utility plant because of temporary differences for which, prior to
Statement No. 109, deferred taxes previously were not provided. We
previously passed these tax benefits through to ratepayers. We are
recovering the amortization of the regulatory asset through rates over
18 years which began in December 1994.
The Investment Tax Credit was deferred and continues to be
amortized at the annual rate of 3%, which approximates the life of
related assets.
We deferred $11.8 million resulting from a change in the basis
for accruing the Gross Receipts & Franchise Tax in 1978, and are
amortizing it on a straight-line basis to operations over 30 years.
-35-
7. LONG-TERM DEBT: (A)
- -----------------
Principal Outstanding
December 31,
(In Thousands)
2003 2002
------ ------
First Mortgage Bonds: (B)
8.19% Series due 2007 $ 9,089 $ 11,362
10.25% Series due 2008 (C) - 7,385
6.12% Series due 2010 10,000 10,000
6.74% Series due 2011 10,000 10,000
6.57% Series due 2011 15,000 15,000
6.95% Series due 2013 (C) - 35,000
7.7% Series due 2015 15,000 15,000
6.50% Series due 2016 9,965 9,965
7.97% Series due 2018 10,000 10,000
7.125% Series due 2018 20,000 20,000
7.7% Series due 2027 35,000 35,000
7.9% Series due 2030 10,000 10,000
4.46% Series due 1013 (D) 10,500 -
5.027% Series due 2013 (D) 14,500 -
4.52% Series due 2014 (D) 11,000 -
5.115% Series due 2014 (D) 10,000 -
4.60% Series due 2016 (D) 17,000 -
4.657% Series due 2017 (D) 15,000 -
5.55% Series due 2033 (D) 32,000 -
Unsecured Notes:
Debenture Notes, 8.6% due 2010 15,000 21,000
Debenture Notes, 8.35% due 2037 (C) - 36,082
----------- -----------
Total Long-Term Debt Outstanding 269,054 245,794
Less Current Maturities 5,273 10,696
----------- -----------
Long-Term Debt $ 263,781 $ 235,098
=========== ===========
(A) Long-term debt maturities and sinking fund requirements for
the succeeding five years are as follows (in thousands):
2004, $5,273; 2005, $5,273; 2006, $5,273; 2007, $5,270; and
2008, $3,000.
(B) SJG's First Mortgage dated October 1, 1947, as supplemented,
securing the First Mortgage Bonds (FMB) constitutes a direct
first mortgage lien on substantially all utility plant.
(C) On May 1, 2003, we redeemed our 10.25% Series FMB due 2008.
The premium associated with the redemption was approximately
$0.1 million. On October 14, 2003, we redeemed our 6.95%
Series FMB due 2013. The premium associated with the
redemption was approximately $1.0 million. On November 5,
2003, we redeemed our 8.35% Debenture Notes due 2037, at par.
We are seeking BPU approval to amortize the premiums and
recover them from ratepayers over the terms of the new bond
issues in accordance with the BPU's uniform system of
accounts.
(D) On July 16, 2003, we issued $85.5 million of debt under our
Medium Term Note program established in 2002. On September 17,
2003, we issued an additional $24.5 million of Medium Term
Notes. A remainder of $40.0 million is authorized to be issued
under this program through July 31, 2005.
8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
- ------------------------
Long-Term Debt - We estimate the fair values of our long-term
debt, including current maturities, as of December 31, 2003 and 2002,
to be $293.6 and $297.0 million, respectively. Carrying amounts are
$269.1 and $245.8 million, respectively. We base the estimates on
-36-
interest rates available to us at the end of each year for debt with
similar terms and maturities. We retire debt when it is cost effective
as permitted by the debt agreements.
Other Financial Instruments - The carrying amounts of our
other financial instruments approximate their fair values at December
31, 2003 and 2002.
9. UNUSED LINES OF CREDIT AND COMPENSATING BALANCES:
- ---------------------------------------------------
Unused lines of credit available at December 31, 2003 were
$88.8 million. Borrowings under these lines of credit are at market
rates. The weighted borrowing cost, which changes daily, was 1.81% and
2.28% at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We maintain demand
deposits with lending banks on an informal basis and they do not
constitute compensating balances.
10. RETAINED EARNINGS:
- ---------------------
Restrictions exist under various loan agreements regarding the
amount of cash dividends or other distributions that we may pay on our
common stock. As of December 31, 2003, these restrictions did not
affect the amount that may be distributed from SJG's retained earnings.
We received equity infusions of $20.0 million, $2.5 million,
and $7.0 million from SJI during 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
Contributions of capital are credited to Other Paid-In Capital and
Premium on Common Stock. Future equity contributions will occur on an
as needed basis.
11. PENSIONS & OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS:
- --------------------------------------------
We participate in the defined benefit pension plans and other
postretirement benefit plans of SJI. The pension plans provide annuity
payments to the majority of full- time, regular employees upon
retirement. Newly hired employees in certain classifications do not
qualify for participation in the defined benefit pension plan. The
other postretirement benefit plans provide health care and life
insurance benefits to some retirees.
In 2002, SJI changed the actuarial valuation measurement date
for the pension plans from September 30 to December 31 to conform to
the measurement date used for the postretirement health care plans and
to better reflect the actual pension balances as of its balance sheet
dates. This change had no significant effect on 2002 or prior years'
pension expense.
The BPU authorized us to recover costs related to
postretirement benefits other than pensions under the accrual method of
accounting consistent with FASB Statement No. 106, "Employers'
Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions." We
deferred amounts accrued prior to that authorization and are amortizing
them as allowed by the BPU. The unamortized balance of $3.4 million at
December 31, 2003 is recoverable in rates. We are amortizing this
amount over 15 years which started January 1998.
On December 8, 2003, the President signed into law the
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act (the
"Act") of 2003. In accordance with FASB Staff Position No. 106-1,
"Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare
Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003," issued
in December 2003, management has elected to defer any financial impact
resulting from the Act pending the availability of more information. As
such, measures of the accumulated projected benefit obligation or net
periodic postretirement benefit cost in the financial statements or
accompanying notes do not reflect the effects of the Act on the plan.
Furthermore, specific authoritative guidance on the accounting for the
federal subsidy is pending and that guidance, when issued, could
require changes to previously reported information.
-37-
Net periodic benefit cost related to the pension and other
postretirement benefit insurance plans consisted of the following
components:
Thousands of Dollars
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
2003 2002 2001 2003 2002 2001
-------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------
Service Cost $ 2,375 $ 2,079 $ 1,998 $ 1,421 $ 1,095 $ 1,000
Interest Cost 4,848 4,597 4,574 2,448 2,285 1,842
Expected Return on
Plan Assets (4,996) (4,157) (4,932) (1,078) (1,046) (895)
Amortization of
Transition Obligation 87 87 87 756 756 756
Amortization of Loss
(Gain) and Other 1,563 722 321 373 72 (5)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Net Periodic Benefit Cost $ 3,877 $ 3,328 $ 2,048 $ 3,920 $ 3,162 $ 2,698
======== ======== ======== ======== ========= =========
A reconciliation of the plans' benefit obligations, fair value
of plan assets, funded status and amounts recognized in our balance
sheets follows:
Thousands of Dollars
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
2003 2002 2003 2002
------------------------ ------------------------
Change in Benefit Obligations:
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year $ 75,004 $ 67,624 $ 30,025 $ 27,748
Service Cost 2,375 2,079 1,421 1,095
Interest Cost 4,848 4,597 2,448 2,285
Actuarial Loss (Gain) and Other 5,437 4,571 10,556 (83)
Benefits Paid (3,565) (3,867) (1,341) (1,020)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Benefit Obligation at End of Year $ 84,099 $ 75,004 $ 43,109 $ 30,025
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Change in Plan Assets:
Fair Value of Plan Assets at
Beginning of Year $ 58,204 $ 46,514 $ 13,835 $ 13,465
Actual Return on Plan Assets 12,911 (3,622) 3,336 (1,529)
Employer Contributions 9,076 19,179 3,266 2,919
Benefits Paid (3,565) (3,867) (1,341) (1,020)
----------- ----------- --------- -----------
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year $ 76,626 $ 58,204 $ 19,096 $ 13,835
=========== =========== =========== ============
Funded Status: $ (7,473) $ (16,800) $ (24,014) $ (16,190)
Unrecognized Prior Service Cost 2,485 2,765 - -
Unrecognized Net Transition
Obligation - 87 6,801 7,557
Unrecognized Net Loss & Other 23,194 26,948 10,268 2,343
Prepaid (Accrued) Net Benefit Cost
at End of Year $ 18,206 $ 13,000 $ (6,945) $ (6,290)
=========== =========== =========== ============
Amounts Recognized in the Statement
of Financial Position Consist of:
Prepaid Benefit Costs $ 18,206 $ - $ - $ -
Accrued Benefit Liability - (4,149) (6,945) (6,290)
Intangible Asset - 2,852 - -
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income - 14,297 - -
---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net Amount Recognized at End of Year $ 18,206 $ 13,000 $ (6,945) $ (6,290)
=========== =========== =========== ============
-38-
The accumulated benefit obligation of our pension plans at
December 31, 2003 and 2002 was $70 million and $62 million,
respectively.
At December 31, 2002, we recorded an additional minimum
pension liability of $17.1 million, which is reflected in the balance
sheet under the caption Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits. This
liability adjustment resulted from decreases in the fair value of plan
assets, which were due to the declining stock market, and increases in
the benefit obligation due to decreases in the discount rates over the
prior two years.
We also have unqualified pension plans provided to certain
officers and outside directors which are unfunded. The aggregate
accrued net benefit obligation of such plans as of December 31, 2003
and 2002 was $4.2 million and $3.8 million, respectively.
Additional disclosures relating to the minimum pension
liability adjustments at December 31 were:
Thousands of Dollars
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
2003 2002 2003 2002
------------------------------------------
The (Decrease) Increase in Minimum
Liability Included in Other
Comprehensive Income $ (8,456) $ 6,517 N/A N/A
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit
obligations at December 31 were:
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
2003 2002 2003 2002
-----------------------------------------
Discount Rate 6.25% 6.75% 6.25% 6.75%
Rate of Compensation Increase 3.60% 3.60% - -
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for
years ended December 31 were:
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
2003 2002 2003 2002
----------------------------------------
Discount Rate 6.75% 7.25% 6.75% 7.25%
Expected Long-Term Return
on Plan Assets 9.00% 9.00% 7.50% 7.50%
Rate of Compensation Increase 3.60% 4.10% - -
The expected long-term return on plan assets was based on
return projections prepared by our investment manager using SJI's
current investment mix as described under Plan Assets below.
The assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31 were:
2003 2002
--------------------
Post-65 Medical Care Cost Trend Rate
Assumed for Next Year 7.0% 7.5%
Pre-65 Medical Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next Year 11.5% 12.0%
Dental Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next Year 7.0% 7.5%
Rate to which Cost Trend Rates are Assumed to Decline
(the Ultimate Trend Rate) 5.0% 5.0%
Year that the Rate Reaches the Ultimate Trend Rate 2016 2016
-39-
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect
on the amounts reported for our postretirement health care plans. A
one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates in
2003 would have the following effects:
Thousands of Dollars
1-Percentage- 1-Percentage-
Point Increase Point Decrease
Effect on the Total of Service and Interest Cost $ 597 $ (850)
Effect on Postretirement Benefit Obligation 6,040 (4,638)
Plan Assets - SJG's weighted-average asset allocations at
December 31, 2003, and 2002, by asset category are as follows:
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
2003 2002 2003 2002
------------------------------------------
Asset Category
U.S. Equity Securities 47% 24% 47% 11%
International Equity Securities 13 12 13 11
Fixed Income 40 64 40 78
---- ---- ---- ----
Total 100% 100% 100% 100%
==== ==== ==== ====
Based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances stated
in SJI's current pension and other postretirement benefit plans'
investment policy and guidelines (the "Policy"), the long-term asset
mix target considered appropriate is 60% equity and 40% fixed-income
investments. Historical performance results and future expectations
suggest that equities will provide higher total investment returns than
fixed-income securities over a long-term investment horizon.
The Policy recognizes that risk and volatility are present to
some degree with all types of investments. However, high levels of risk
are to be avoided at the total fund level. This is to be accomplished
through diversification by asset class, style of manager, and sector
and industry limits. Specifically prohibited investments include, but
are not limited to, securities of companies with less than $250 million
capitalization (except in the small-cap portion of the fund where
capitalization levels as low as $50 million are permissible), venture
capital, margin trading and commodities.
Contributions - SJG expects to make no contributions to its
pension plan and contribute approximately $3 million to its other
postretirement benefit plan in 2004.
12. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
- ---------------------------
We operated retail stores which sold natural gas appliances.
The stores were intended to provide gas customers with access to and
choice among natural gas appliances. In 2001, we formally discontinued
this merchandising segment of our operations as such appliances are
readily available from other retailers.
-40-
Summarized operating results of the discontinued operations
were:
Thousands of Dollars
2003 2002 2001
------ ------ ------
Operating Revenues $ - $ 26 $ 1,016
========= ========= =========
Loss before Income Taxes - (50) (351)
Income Tax - 21 144
--------- --------- ---------
Loss from Discontinued Operations $ - $ (29) $ (207)
========= ========= =========
Earnings Per Common Share from
Discontinued Operations - Net $ 0.00 $ (0.01) $ (0.03)
========= ========= =========
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
- ---------------------------------
Construction and Environmental Commitments - Our estimated net
cost of construction and environmental remediation programs for 2004
totals $67.7 million. Commitments were made regarding some of these
programs.
Gas Supply Contracts - SJG, in the normal course of conducting
business, has entered into long-term contracts for natural gas
supplies, firm transportation and gas storage service. The earliest
that any of these contracts expires is 2004. The transportation and
storage service agreements between us and our interstate pipeline
suppliers were made under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved
tariffs. Our cumulative obligation for demand charges and reservation
fees paid to suppliers for these services is approximately $4.2 million
per month, recovered on a current basis through the BGSS.
Pending Litigation - We are subject to claims arising from the
ordinary course of business and other legal proceedings. We accrue
liabilities related to these claims when we can determine the amount or
range of amounts of likely settlement costs for those claims. We also
maintain insurance and record probable insurance recoveries relating to
outstanding claims. Management does not currently anticipate the
disposition of any known claims to have a material adverse effect on
SJG's financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Environmental Remediation Costs - We incurred and recorded
costs for environmental cleanup of sites where the Company or its
predecessors operated gas manufacturing plants. We stopped
manufacturing gas in the 1950s.
We successfully entered into settlements with all of our
historic comprehensive general liability carriers regarding the
environmental remediation expenditures at our sites. Also, we have
purchased a Cleanup Cost Cap Insurance Policy limiting the amount of
remediation expenditures that we will be required to make at 11 of our
sites. This Policy will be in force until 2024 at 10 sites and until
2029 at one site. The following minimum future cost estimate was not
reduced by projected insurance recoveries from the Cleanup Cost Cap
Insurance Policy.
Since the early 1980s, we accrued environmental remediation
costs of $137.5 million, of which $86.6 million has been spent as of
December 31, 2003. With the assistance of a consulting firm, we
estimate that future costs to clean up our sites will range from $51.0
million to $162.3 million. We recorded the lower end of this range as a
liability. It is reflected on the 2003 balance sheet under the captions
Current Liabilities and Deferred Credits and Other Non-Current
Liabilities (See Note 1). Recorded amounts include estimated costs
based on projected investigation and remediation work plans using
existing technologies. Actual costs could differ from the estimates due
to the long-term nature of the projects, changing technology,
government regulations and site-specific requirements.
We have two regulatory assets associated with environmental
costs. The first asset is titled Environmental Remediation Cost:
Expended - Net. These expenditures represent what was actually spent to
clean up former gas manufacturing plant sites. These costs meet the
-41-
requirements of FASB Statement No. 71. The BPU allows us to recover
expenditures through the RAC (See Note 2).
The other asset titled Environmental Remediation Cost:
Liability for Future Expenditures relates to estimated future
expenditures determined under the guidance of FASB Statement No. 5,
"Accounting for Contingencies." We recorded this amount, which relates
to former manufactured gas plant sites, as a deferred debit with the
corresponding amount reflected on the balance sheets under the
captions, Current Liabilities and Deferred Credits and Other
Non-Current Liabilities. The deferred debit is a regulatory asset under
Statement No. 71. The BPU's intent, evidenced by current practice, is
to allow us to recover the deferred costs after they are spent over
7-year periods.
As of December 31, 2003, we reflected the unamortized
remediation costs of $4.1 million on the balance sheet under the
caption Regulatory Assets. Since implementing the RAC in 1992, we have
recovered $39.8 million through rates (See Note 2).
-42-
14. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - UNAUDITED:
The summarized quarterly results of SJG's operations, in thousands:
SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
Summarized quarterly results of SJG's operations, in thousands except for per
share amounts:
--------------------------------------------------
2003 Quarter Ended 2002 Quarter Ended
-------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
March 31 June 30 Sept. 30 Dec. 31 March 31 June 30 Sept. 30 Dec. 31
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating Revenues $239,936 $ 75,547 $ 58,491 $154,092 $154,183 $ 65,007 $ 51,764 $146,309
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Expenses:
Operation and Maintenance
Including Fixed Charges 201,408 72,039 63,372 133,406 121,217 63,932 56,519 124,759
Income Taxes (Benefit) 13,971 753 (2,420) 7,315 12,129 (70) (2,454) 7,767
Energy and Other Taxes 5,028 2,131 1,349 3,217 3,783 2,039 1,398 3,355
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total Expenses 220,407 74,923 62,301 143,938 137,129 65,901 55,463 135,881
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Other Income and Expense (95) 45 6 155 (115) 569 (89) (32)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income (Loss) from
Continuing Operations 19,434 669 (3,804) 10,309 16,939 (325) (3,788) 10,396
Discontinued Operations - Net - - - - - - - (29)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Income (Loss) Applicable
to Common Stock $ 19,434 $ 669 $ (3,804) $ 10,309 $ 16,939 $ (325) $ (3,788) $ 10,367
========== ========== ========== ========== ========= ========= ========= =========
<FN>
NOTE: Because of the seasonal nature of the business, statements for the 3-month periods are not indicative of the results for a
full year.
</FN>
-43-
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
--------------------------------------------------------
Accounting and Financial Disclosure
-----------------------------------
None
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
--------------------------------
SJG management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of
disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to the Exchange Act. Based on that
evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded
that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that all
material information required to be filed in this annual report has been made
known to them in a timely fashion. There have been no significant changes in
internal controls, or in factors that could significantly affect internal
controls, subsequent to the date the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer completed their evaluation.
-44-
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
-----------------------------------------------------------
Not applicable.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
-------------------------------
Not applicable.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not applicable.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
-------------------------------------------------------
Not applicable.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
-----------------------------------------------
Fees Paid to Auditors
- ---------------------
Deloitte & Touche LLP served as the auditors of SJG and its parent,
SJI, during 2003. During 2003, the audit services performed by that firm for SJG
consisted of the audits of the financial statements of the Company and the
preparation of various reports based on those audits and services related to
filings with the Securities Exchange Commission and New York Stock Exchange.
Audit Fees
- ----------
The aggregate fees billed for the audit of SJG's financial statements
by Deloitte & Touche totaled $115,000 and $112,000 in fiscal years 2003 and
2002, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees
- ------------------
The aggregate bills for audit-related services for fiscal years 2003
and 2002 were $35,000 and $12,000, respectively.
Tax Fees
- --------
None.
All Other Fees
- --------------
None.
-45-
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule, and Reports on Form 8-K
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Listed below are all financial statements and schedules filed as part of
this report:
1 - The financial statements and notes to financial statements together
with the report thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated February 18, 2004.
See Item 8.
2 - Supplementary Financial Information
Supplemental Schedules as of December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 and for
the three years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001:
The Independent Auditors' Report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Auditors of
the Company. See Item 8.
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts. See page 54.
All schedules, other than that listed above, are omitted because the
information called for is included in the financial statements filed or because
they are not applicable or are not required.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
Dated: October 3, 2003 South Jersey Gas Company issued a press release
announcing the redemption of its SJG Capital
Trust 8.35% Preferred Securities effective
November 5, 2003, under Items 5 and 9.
(c) List of Exhibits (Exhibit Number is in Accordance with the Exhibit Table
in Item 601 of Regulation S-K).
Exhibit Description Reference
------- ----------- ---------
Number
------
(3)(a) Certificate of Incorporation of South Jersey Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (3)(a)
Gas Company. of Form 10 filed March 7, 1997.
(3)(b) Bylaws of South Jersey Gas Company, as
amended and restated through November 21,
2003 (filed herewith).
(4)(a) Form of Stock Certified for Common Stock. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (4)(a)
of Form 10 filed March 7, 1997.
(4)(b)(i) First Mortgage Indenture dated October 1, Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
1947. (4)(b)(i) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1987
(1-6364).
(4)(b)(iv) Twelfth Supplemental Indenture dated as of Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 5(b)
June 1, 1980. of Form S-7 of SJI (2-68038).
-46-
Exhibit Description Reference
Number
(4)(b)(xv) Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture dated as Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
of May 1, 1989. (4)(b)(xv) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1989
(1-6364).
(4)(b)(xvii) Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
April 1, 1992. (4)(b)(xvii) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1992
(1-6364).
(4)(b)(xix) Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture dated as Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
of March 1, 1997. (4)(b)(xviv) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1997
(1-6364).
(4)(b)(xx) Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture dated as Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
of October 1, 1998. (4)(b)(ix) of Form S-3 (333-62019).
(4)(b)(xxi) Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture dated as Incorporated by reference from Exhibit(4)(b)(x)
of September 1, 2002. of Form S-3 (333-98411)
(4)(c) Indenture dated as of January 31, 1995; 8.60% Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (4)(c)
Debenture Notes due February 1, 2010. of Form 10-K of SJI for 1994 (1-6364).
(4)(d) Certificate of Trust for SJG Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(a)
of Form S-3 - SJG Capital Trust and South
Jersey Gas Company as filed March 27, 1997,
as amended April 18, 1997 and April 23, 1997
(333-24065).
(4)(d)(i) Trust Agreement of SJG Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(b)
of Form S-3 - SJG Capital Trust and South
Jersey Gas Company as filed March 27, 1997,
as amended April 18, 1997 and April 23, 1997
(333-24065).
(4)(d)(ii) Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(c)
for SJG Capital Trust. of Form S-3 - SJG Capital Trust and South
Jersey Gas Company as filed March 27, 1997,
as amended April 18, 1997 and April 23, 1997 (333-24065).
(4)(d)(vi) Form of Guaranty Agreement between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(d)
Jersey Gas Company and SJG Capital Trust. of Form S-3 - SJG Capital Trust and South
Jersey Gas Company as filed March 27, 1997,
as amended April 18, 1997 and April 23, 1997 (333-24065).
(4)(e) Medium Term Note Indenture of Trust dated Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (4)(e)
October 1, 1998. of Form S-3 (333-62019).
(4)(f) Medium Term Note Indenture of Trust, as Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(e)
amended, dated December 16, 2002. of Form S-3 (333-98411).
-47-
Exhibit
- -------
Number Description Reference
- ------ ----------- ---------
(10)(a) Gas storage agreement (GSS) between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Jersey Gas Company and Transco dated October (10)(d) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
1, 1993. (1-6364).
(10)(b) Gas storage agreement (S-2) between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (5)(h)
Jersey Gas Company and Transco dated December of Form S-7 of SJI (2-56223).
16, 1953.
(10)(c) Gas storage agreement (LG-A) between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit (5)(f)
Jersey Gas Company and Transco dated June 3, of Form S-7 of SJI (2-56223).
1974.
(10)(d) Gas storage agreement (WSS) between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Jersey Gas Company and Transco dated August (10)(h) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1991
1, 1991. (1-6364).
(10)(e)(i) Gas storage agreement (LSS) between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Jersey Gas Company and Transco dated October (10)(i) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
1, 1993. (1-6364).
(10)(e)(ii) Gas storage agreement (SS-1) between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Jersey Gas Company and Transco dated (10)(i)(a) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1988
May 10, 1987 (effective April 1, 1988). (1-6364).
(10)(e)(iii) Gas storage agreement (ESS) between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Jersey Gas Company and Transco dated (10)(i)(b) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
November 1, 1993. (1-6364).
(10)(e)(iv) Gas transportation service agreement between Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
South Jersey Gas Company and Transco (10)(i)(c) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1989
dated April 1, 1986. (1-6364).
(10)(e)(v) Service agreement (FS) between South Jersey Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Gas Company and Transco dated August 1, 1991. (10)(i)(e) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1991
(1-6364).
(10)(e)(vi) Service agreement (FT) between South Jersey Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Gas Company and Transco dated February 1, 1992. (10)(i)(f) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1991
(1-6364).
(10)(e)(vii) Service agreement (Incremental FT) between Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
South Jersey Gas Company and Transco (10)(i)(g) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1991
dated August 1, 1991. (1-6364).
(10)(e)(viii) Gas storage agreement (SS-2) between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Jersey Gas Company and Transco dated (10)(i)(i) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1991
July 25, 1990. (1-6364).
(10)(e)(ix) Gas transportation service agreement between Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
South Jersey Gas Company and Transco (10)(i)(j) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
dated December 20, 1991. (1-6364).
-48-
Exhibit
- -------
Number Description Reference
- ------ ----------- ---------
(10)(e)(x) Amendment to gas transportation agreement Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
dated December 20, 1991 between South Jersey (10)(i)(k) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
Gas Company and Transco dated October 5, 1993. (1-6364).
(10)(f) Gas transportation service agreement (FTS) Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
between South Jersey Gas Company and (10)(j)(a) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1989
Equitable Gas Company dated November 1, 1986. (1-6364).
(10)(g)(i) Gas transportation service agreement (TF) Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
between South Jersey Gas Company and CNG (10)(k)(h) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
Transmission Corporation dated October 1, 1993. (1-6364).
(10)(g)(ii) Gas purchase agreement between South Jersey Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Gas Company and ARCO Gas Marketing, (10)(k)(i) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1989
Inc. dated March 5, 1990. (1-6364).
(10)(g)(iii) Gas transportation service agreement (FTS-1) Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
between South Jersey Gas Company and 10)(k)(k) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
Columbia ( Gulf Transmission Company (1-6364).
dated November 1, 1993.
(10)(g)(iv) Assignment agreement capacity and service Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
rights (FTS-2) between South Jersey (10)(k)(i) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
Gas Company and Columbia Gulf Transmission (1-6364).
Company dated November 1, 1993.
(10)(g)(v) FTS Service Agreement No. 39556 between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Jersey Gas Company and Columbia Gas (10)(k)(m) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
Transmission Corporation dated November 1, (1-6364).
1993.
(10)(g)(vi) FTS Service Agreement No. 38099 between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Jersey Gas Company and Columbia Gas (10)(k)(n) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
Transmission Corporation dated (1-6364).
November 1,1993.
(10)(g)(vii) NTS Service Agreement No. 39305 between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Jersey Gas Company and Columbia Gas (10)(k)(o) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
Transmission Corporation dated (1-6364).
November 1, 1993.
(10)(g)(viii) FSS Service Agreement No. 38130 between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Jersey Gas Company and Columbia Gas (10)(k)(p) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
Transmission Corporation dated (1-6364).
November 1, 1993.
(10)(g)(ix) SST Service Agreement No. 38086 between South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Jersey Gas Company and Columbia Gas (10)(k)(q) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1993
Transmission Corporation dated (1-6364).
November 1, 1993.
-49-
Exhibit
- -------
Number Description Reference
- ------ ----------- ---------
(10)(g)(x) NS (Negotiated Sales) Service Agreement dated Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
December 1, 1994 between South Jersey Gas (10)(k)(r) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1994
Company and Transco Gas Marketing Company as (1-6364).
agent for Transcontinental Gas Pipeline.
(10)(h)(i)* Deferred Payment Plan for Directors of South Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
Jersey Industries, Inc., South Jersey Gas (10)(l) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1994
Company, Energy & Minerals, Inc., R&T Group, (1-6364).
Inc. and South Jersey Energy Company as
amended and restated October 21, 1994.
(10)(h)(ii)* Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
between South Jersey Industries, Inc. and/or (10)(j)(a) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1980
a subsidiary and seven of its officers. (1-6364).
(10)(h)(iii)* Schedule of Deferred Compensation Agreements. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
(10)(l)(b) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1997 (1-6364).
(10)(h)(iv)* Supplemental Executive Retirement Program, as Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
amended and restated effective July 1, 1997, (10)(l)(i) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1997
and Form of Agreement between certain South (1-6364).
Jersey Industries, Inc. or subsidiary Company
officers.
(10)(h)(v)* Form of Officer Employment Agreement between Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
certain officers and either South Jersey (10)(l)(d) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1994
Industries, Inc. or its subsidiaries. (1-6364).
(10)(h)(vi)* Schedule of Officer Employment Agreements
(filed herewith).
(10)(h)(vii)* Officer Severance Benefit Program for all Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
officers. (10)(l)(g) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1985
(1-6364).
(10)(h)(viii)* Discretionary Incentive Bonus Program for all Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
officers and management employees. (10)(l)(h) of Form 10-K of SJI for 1985
(1-6364).
(10)(i) Three-year Revolving Credit Agreement for SJG Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10 of
Form 10-Q of SJG as filed on November 14,
2003 (000-22211).
(12) Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges (Before Federal Income Taxes) (filed
herewith).
(18) Preferability Letter from Independent Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 18 of
Auditors' Re: Pension Measurement Date. Form 10-K of SJG for 2002 (000-22211).
-50-
Exhibit
- -------
Number Description Reference
- ------- ------------ ---------
(21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith).
(23) Independent Auditors' Consent (filed herewith).
(24) Power of Attorney (filed herewith).
(31.1) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
(31.2) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
(32.1) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
(32.2) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
* Constitutes a management contract or a compensatory plan or arrangement.
-51-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
BY: /s/ David A. Kindlick
---------------------------------------
David A. Kindlick, Executive Vice President
& Chief Financial Officer
Date: March 12, 2004
---------------------------------
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
/s/ Edward J. Graham
--------------------------- President, Chief Executive Officer, & March 12, 2004
(Edward J. Graham) Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ David A. Kindlick
- ---------------------------
(David A. Kindlick) Executive Vice President & Chief March 12, 2004
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Richard H. Walker, Jr.
- ---------------------------
(Richard H. Walker, Jr.) Sr. Vice President, Corporate Counsel, & March 12, 2004
Corporate Secretary
/s/ Charles Biscieglia Chairman of the Board March 12, 2004
- ---------------------------
(Charles Biscieglia)
/s/ Shirli M. Billings Director March 12, 2004
- ---------------------------
(Shirli M. Billings)
-52-
Signature Title Date
/s/ Sheila Hartnett-Devlin Director March 12, 2004
- ---------------------------
(Sheila Hartnett-Devlin)
Director March 12, 2004
- ---------------------------
(William J. Hughes)
/s/ Clarence D. McCormick Director March 12, 2004
- ---------------------------
(Clarence D. McCormick)
/s/ Frederick R. Raring Director March 12, 2004
- ---------------------------
(Frederick R. Raring)
-53-
SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(In Thousands)
Col. A Col. B Col. C Col. D Col. E
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions
------------------------------------
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at
Beginning Costs and Other Accounts - Deductions - End
Classification of Period Expenses Describe (a) Describe (b) of Period
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for Uncollectible
Accounts for the Year Ended
December 31, 2003 $3,258 $3,084 $806 $3,885 $3,263
Provision for Uncollectible
Accounts for the Year Ended
December 31, 2002 $2,180 $3,664 $658 $3,244 $3,258
Provision for Uncollectible
Accounts for the Year Ended
December 31, 2001 $1,754 $2,067 $387 $2,028 $2,180
<FN>
(a) Recoveries of accounts previously written off and minor adjustments.
(b) Uncollectible accounts written off.
</FN>
-54-
SJG-53