Exhibit 24





                           SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Each of the undersigned, in his capacity as an officer or director, or
both, as the case may be, of South Jersey Gas Company, a New Jersey
corporation, does hereby appoint Charles Biscieglia, David A. Kindlick and
George L. Baulig, and each of them, severally, as his or her true and lawful
attorneys or attorney to execute in his or her name, place and stead, in his
or her capacity as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of said
corporation, its Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 on
Form 10-K, pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
any and all amendments thereto and instruments necessary or incidental in
connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange
Commission; and does hereby provide that each of said attorneys shall have
power to act hereunder with or without the other said attorneys, and shall
have full power of substitution and resubstitution and that each of said
attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the
name and on behalf of the undersigned in any and all capacities every act
whatsoever required to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents
and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
approving the acts of said attorneys and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument, this
29th day of March 1999.



                                                /s/ Charles Biscieglia
                                                Charles Biscieglia, President





                                                /s/ Anthony G. Dickson
                                                Anthony G. Dickson, Director





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





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





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







                                                                 Exhibit 24



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





                                                /s/ Shirli M. Vioni
                                                Shirli M. Vioni, Director





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





                                                /s/ George L. Baulig
                                                George L. Baulig, Corporate
                                                Secretary