form10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark one)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the transition period from ________________ to __________________

Commission File Number 1-6364

SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Jersey
 
22-1901645
(State of incorporation)
 
(IRS employer identification no.)

1 South Jersey Plaza, Folsom, NJ 08037
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(609) 561-9000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Common Stock
 
 
($1.25 par value per share)
 
New York Stock Exchange
(Title of each class)
 
(Name of exchange on which registered)

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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x   No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer   x
 
Accelerated filer                       o
Non-accelerated filer     o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company     o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No x

As of May 2, 2011 there were 29,953,094 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
 


 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
No.
   
PART I
2
     
Item 1.
2
 
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
7
 
7
 
8
 
9
 
10
 
11
 
12
 
14
 
14
 
15
 
16
 
16
 
19
 
20
 
22
 
22
Item 2.
23
Item 3.
38
Item 4.
40
     
PART II
41
     
Item 1.
41
Item 1A.
41
Item 2.
41
Item 6.
42
     
42
 
 
 

 
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
 
(In Thousands Except for Per Share Data)
 
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
             
Operating Revenues:
           
  Utility
  $ 174,389     $ 196,057  
  Nonutility
    157,533       133,226  
                 
      Total Operating Revenues
    331,922       329,283  
                 
Operating Expenses:
               
  Cost of Sales - (Excluding depreciation)
               
                    - Utility
    82,640       116,216  
                    - Nonutility
    133,580       115,028  
  Operations
    25,694       23,480  
  Maintenance
    3,009       2,816  
  Depreciation
    8,652       8,242  
  Energy and Other Taxes
    5,300       4,872  
                 
      Total Operating Expenses
    258,875       270,654  
                 
Operating Income
    73,047       58,629  
                 
Other Income and Expense
    6,572       1,024  
                 
Interest Charges
    (5,981 )     (4,966 )
                 
Income Before Income Taxes
    73,638       54,687  
                 
Income Taxes
    (22,510 )     (21,971 )
                 
Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Affiliated Companies
    703       (1,148 )
                 
Income from Continuing Operations
    51,831       31,568  
                 
Loss from Discontinued Operations - (Net of tax benefit)
    (383 )     (29 )
                 
      Net Income
  $ 51,448     $ 31,539  
                 
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
               
  Continuing Operations
  $ 1.734     $ 1.058  
  Discontinued Operations
    (0.013 )     (0.001 )
                 
      Basic Earnings Per Common Share
  $ 1.721     $ 1.057  
                 
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Basic
    29,899       29,826  
                 
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
               
  Continuing Operations
  $ 1.728     $ 1.055  
  Discontinued Operations
    (0.013 )     (0.001 )
                 
      Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
  $ 1.715     $ 1.054  
                 
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Diluted
    29,991       29,913  
                 
Dividends Declared per Common Share
  $ 0.365     $ 0.330  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
 
(In Thousands)
 
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
             
Net Income
  $ 51,448     $ 31,539  
                 
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax:*
               
                 
  Unrealized (Loss) Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities
    (154 )     144  
  Unrealized Gain on Derivatives - Other
    107       97  
  Other Comprehensive Loss of Affiliated Companies
    (1,079 )     (19 )
                 
     Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income  - Net of Tax*
    (1,126 )     222  
                 
Comprehensive Income
  $ 50,322     $ 31,761  
                 
* Determined using a combined statutory tax rate of 41%.
               
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
         
 

SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
 
(In Thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
  $ 125,979     $ 117,838  
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
   Capital Expenditures
    (32,066 )     (38,546 )
   Net Proceeds from Sale (Purchase of) Restricted Investments in Margin Account
    1,718       (24,022 )
   Investment in Long-Term Receivables
    (1,492 )     (910 )
   Proceeds from Long-Term Receivables
    1,691       609  
   Investment in Affiliate
    (19,933 )     (1,200 )
   Advances on Notes Receivable - Affiliate
    (18,573 )     (3,098 )
   Repayment of Notes Receivable - Affiliate
    26,050       177  
   Net Advances on Lines of Credit - Affiliate
    -       (2,019 )
   Other
    (4,139 )     -  
                 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
    (46,744 )     (69,009 )
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
   Net Repayments of Lines of Credit
    (98,200 )     (62,600 )
   Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt
    -       15,000  
   Payments for Issuance of Long-Term Debt
    (10 )     (559 )
   Proceeds from Finance Obligation
    19,920       -  
                 
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
    (78,290 )     (48,159 )
                 
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    945       670  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
    2,363       3,823  
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
  $ 3,308     $ 4,493  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
4

 
SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
 
(In Thousands)
 
             
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
             
Assets
           
             
Property, Plant and Equipment:
           
  Utility Plant, at original cost
  $ 1,403,985     $ 1,384,797  
    Accumulated Depreciation
    (344,365 )     (337,993 )
  Nonutility Property and Equipment, at cost
    176,678       169,770  
Accumulated Depreciation
    (24,457 )     (23,319 )
                 
        Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
    1,211,841       1,193,255  
                 
Investments:
               
  Available-for-Sale Securities
    7,034       6,720  
  Restricted
    6,671       8,389  
  Investment in Affiliates
    27,860       8,005  
                 
        Total Investments
    41,565       23,114  
                 
Current Assets:
               
  Cash and Cash Equivalents
    3,308       2,363  
  Accounts Receivable
    213,088       200,773  
  Unbilled Revenues
    46,794       72,457  
  Provision for Uncollectibles
    (7,318 )     (8,071 )
  Notes Receivable - Affiliate
    1,024       1,183  
  Natural Gas in Storage, average cost
    26,132       69,725  
  Materials and Supplies, average cost
    4,037       3,796  
  Prepaid Taxes
    19,598       31,384  
  Derivatives - Energy Related Assets
    27,682       39,513  
  Other Prepayments and Current Assets
    14,404       10,714  
                 
        Total Current Assets
    348,749       423,837  
                 
Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets:
               
  Regulatory Assets
    239,436       248,413  
  Derivatives - Energy Related Assets
    6,744       11,556  
  Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
    7,390       7,583  
  Notes Receivables-Affiliate
    118,573       126,727  
  Contract Receivables
    12,538       12,486  
  Other
    32,297       29,644  
                 
        Total Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets
    416,978       436,409  
                 
              Total Assets
  $ 2,019,133     $ 2,076,615  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
         
 
 
5

 
             
SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
 
(In Thousands)
 
             
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
             
Capitalization and Liabilities
           
             
Equity:
           
  Common Stock
  $ 37,441     $ 37,341  
  Premium on Common Stock
    257,778       257,274  
  Treasury Stock (at par)
    (188 )     (179 )
  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
    (22,938 )     (21,812 )
  Retained Earnings
    337,988       297,473  
                 
        Total South Jersey Industries, Inc. Shareholders' Equity
    610,081       570,097  
                 
Long-Term Debt
    401,400       340,000  
                 
    Total Capitalization
    1,011,481       910,097  
                 
Current Liabilities:
               
  Notes Payable
    152,487       250,687  
  Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
    50,000       111,400  
  Accounts Payable
    154,381       165,197  
  Customer Deposits and Credit Balances
    10,530       10,917  
  Environmental Remediation Costs
    21,713       27,074  
  Taxes Accrued
    13,761       6,709  
  Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities
    22,012       42,297  
  Deferred Income Taxes - Net
    4,281       3,282  
  Deferred Contract Revenues
    4,508       5,442  
  Dividends Payable
    10,933       -  
  Interest Accrued
    5,322       7,259  
  Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
    1,217       1,217  
  Other Current Liabilities
    5,664       9,043  
                 
    Total Current Liabilities
    456,809       640,524  
                 
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities:
               
  Deferred Income Taxes - Net
    274,762       258,402  
  Investment Tax Credits
    1,132       1,207  
  Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
    73,639       71,675  
  Environmental Remediation Costs
    65,800       64,759  
  Asset Retirement Obligations
    28,254       27,965  
  Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities
    3,639       8,641  
  Derivatives - Other
    6,487       7,404  
  Regulatory Liabilities
    61,146       69,248  
  Finance Obligation
    19,920       -  
  Other
    16,064       16,693  
                 
    Total Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
    550,843       525,994  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies  (Note 11)
               
                 
          Total Capitalization and Liabilities
  $ 2,019,133     $ 2,076,615  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

GENERAL - South Jersey Industries, Inc. (SJI or the Company) currently provides a variety of energy related products and services primarily through the following subsidiaries:

 
South Jersey Gas Company (SJG) is a regulated natural gas utility. SJG distributes natural gas in the seven southernmost counties of New Jersey.

 
South Jersey Resources Group, LLC (SJRG) markets wholesale natural gas storage, commodity and transportation in the mid-Atlantic, Appalachian and southern states.

 
Marina Energy, LLC (Marina) develops and operates on-site energy-related projects.

 
South Jersey Energy Company (SJE) acquires and markets natural gas and electricity to retail end users and provides total energy management services to commercial and industrial customers.

 
South Jersey Energy Service Plus, LLC (SJESP) installs residential and small commercial HVAC systems, provides plumbing services and services appliances via the sale of  appliance service programs.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION — The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SJI, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. We eliminate all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. In management’s opinion, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments needed to fairly present SJI’s financial position and operating results at the dates and for the periods presented. SJI’s businesses are subject to seasonal fluctuations and, accordingly, this interim financial information should not be the basis for estimating the full year’s operating results. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain certain condensed financial information and exclude certain footnote disclosures normally included in annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with SJI’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of the Company’s accounting policies and certain other information.

 REVENUE BASED TAXES — SJI collects certain revenue-based energy taxes from customers. Such taxes include New Jersey State Sales Tax, Transitional Energy Facility Assessment (TEFA) and Public Utilities Assessment (PUA). State sales tax is recorded as a liability when billed to customers and is not included in revenue or operating expenses. TEFA and PUA are included in both utility revenue and cost of sales and totaled $3.9 million and $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
 GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT - The Company capitalizes all costs associated with gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities under the full cost method of accounting. Capitalized costs include costs related to unproved properties, which are not amortized until proved reserves are found or it is determined that the unproved properties are impaired. All costs related to unproved properties are reviewed quarterly to determine if impairment has occurred. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, $3.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively, related to interests in proved and unproved properties in Pennsylvania, net of amortization, is included with Nonutility Property and Equipment on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
TREASURY STOCK – SJI uses the par value method of accounting for treasury stock. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, SJI held 150,491 and 143,546 shares of treasury stock, respectively. These shares are related to deferred compensation arrangements where the amounts earned are held in the stock of SJI.

INCOME TAXES — Deferred income taxes are provided for all significant temporary differences between the book and taxable bases of assets and liabilities in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740 - “Income Taxes”.  A valuation allowance is established when it is determined that it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Investment tax credits related to renewable energy facilities of the non-regulated entities are recognized on the flow through method, which may result in variations in the customary relationship between income taxes and pre-tax income for interim periods.

 
7

 
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS —No new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during 2010 and 2011 had, or is expected to have, a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 2.            STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN:
 
Under the Amended and Restated 1997 Stock-Based Compensation Plan, no more than 2,000,000 shares in the aggregate may be issued to SJI’s officers (Officers), non-employee directors (Directors) and other key employees. The plan will terminate on January 26, 2015, unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors. No options were granted or outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. No stock appreciation rights have been issued under the plan. During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, SJI granted 40,470 and 52,940 restricted shares to Officers and other key employees, respectively.   These restricted shares vest over a three-year period and are subject to SJI achieving certain market-based performance targets as compared to a peer group average, which can cause the actual amount of shares that ultimately vest to range from between 0% to 150% of the original share units granted. During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, SJI granted 10,998 and 16,700 restricted shares to Directors, respectively.  Shares issued to Directors vest over a three-year service period and contain no performance conditions. As a result, 100% of the shares granted generally vest.
 
See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2010 for the related accounting policy.

The following table summarizes the nonvested restricted stock awards outstanding at March 31, 2011 and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the awards:
 
 
Grant Date
 
Shares
Outstanding
   
Fair Value
Per Share
   
Expected
Volatility
   
Risk-Free
Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Officers & Key Employees -
Jan. 2009
    37,748     $ 39.350       28.6 %     1.20 %
 
Jan. 2010
    52,940     $ 39.020       29.0 %     1.65 %
 
Jan. 2011
    40,470     $ 50.940       27.5 %     1.01 %
 
 
                               
Directors -
Jan. 2009
    8,690     $ 40.265              
 
Jan. 2010
    16,700     $ 37.825              
 
Jan. 2011
    10,998     $ 52.940              

Expected volatility is based on the actual volatility of SJI’s share price over the preceding three-year period as of the valuation date. The risk-free interest rate is based on the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury Bond, with a term equal to the three-year term of the Officers’ and other key employees’ restricted shares. As notional dividend equivalents are credited to the holders, during the three-year service period, no reduction to the fair value of the award is required. As the Directors’ restricted stock awards contain no performance conditions and dividends are paid or credited to the holder during the three-year service period, the fair value of these awards are equal to the market value of the shares on the date of grant.

The following table summarizes the total stock-based compensation cost for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in thousands)
 
 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Officers & Key Employees
 
$
466
 
 
$
407
 
Directors
 
 
130
 
 
 
111
 
Total Cost
 
 
596
 
 
 
518
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Capitalized
 
 
(55
)
 
 
(51
)
Net Expense
 
$
541
 
 
$
467
 

 
As of March 31, 2011, there was $4.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation awards granted under the restricted stock plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.

 The following table summarizes information regarding restricted stock award activity during the three months ended March 31, 2011, excluding accrued dividend equivalents:
 
 
 
Officers &
Other Key
Employees
 
 
Directors
 
 
Weighted
Average
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, January 1, 2011
 
 
90,688
 
 
 
25,390
 
 
$
39.049
 
Granted
 
 
40,470
 
 
 
10,998
 
 
$
51.367
 
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, March 31, 2011
 
 
131,158
 
 
 
36,388
 
 
$
42.833
 

During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, SJI awarded 69,271 shares to its Officers and other key employees, which had vested at December 31, 2010, at a market value of $3.7 million, and 59,893 shares, which had vested at December 31, 2009, at a market value of $2.3 million, respectively. Also, during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, SJI awarded 10,998 and 16,700 shares to its Directors at a market value of $0.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The Company has a policy of issuing new shares to satisfy its obligations under these plans; therefore, there are no cash payment requirements resulting from the normal operation of this plan. However, a change in control could result in such shares becoming nonforfeitable or immediately payable in cash.  At the discretion of the Officers, Directors and other key employees, the receipt of vested shares can be deferred until future periods.  These deferred shares are included in Treasury Stock on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

3.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND AFFILATIONS:

Discontinued Operations consist of the environmental remediation activities related to the properties of South Jersey Fuel, Inc. (SJF) and the product liability litigation and environmental remediation activities related to the prior business of The Morie Company, Inc. (Morie). SJF is a subsidiary of Energy & Minerals, Inc. (EMI), an SJI subsidiary, which previously operated a fuel oil business. Morie is the former sand mining and processing subsidiary of EMI. EMI sold the common stock of Morie in 1996.

SJI conducts tests annually to estimate the environmental remediation costs for these properties.

Summarized operating results of the discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, were (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
Loss before Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sand Mining
 
$
(194
)
 
$
(42
)
Fuel Oil
 
 
(395
)
 
 
(3
)
Income Tax Benefits
 
 
206
 
 
 
16
 
Loss from Discontinued Operations — Net
 
$
(383
)
 
$
(29
)
Earnings Per Common Share from Discontinued Operations — Net:
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted
 
$
(0.013
)
 
$
(0.001
)
 
 
9

 
AFFILIATIONS — The following affiliated entities are accounted for under the equity method:

SJI and Conectiv Solutions, LLC formed Millennium Account Services, LLC in which SJI has a 50% equity interest, to provide meter reading services in southern New Jersey.

Marina and a joint venture partner formed the following entities in which Marina has a 50% equity interest:

LVE Energy Partners, LLC (LVE), which has entered into a contract to design, build, own and operate a district energy system and central energy center for a planned resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Energenic – US, LLC (Energenic), which develops and operates on-site, self-contained, energy-related projects.

During the first three months of 2011 and 2010, the Company made investments in, and provided net advances to, unconsolidated affiliates of $12.5 million and $6.1 million, respectively. The purpose of these investments and advances was to cover certain project related costs of LVE (See Note 11), to provide working capital for a retail marketing operation, and to develop several landfill gas-fired electric production facilities and solar projects.  As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the outstanding balance on these Notes Receivable – Affiliate was $119.6 million and $127.9 million, respectively. Approximately $63.9 million of these notes are secured by property, plant and equipment of the affiliates, accrue interest at 7.5% and are to be repaid through 2025. The remaining $55.7 million of these notes are unsecured, and are either non-interest bearing or accrue interest at variable rates and are to be repaid when the affiliate secures permanent financing.

SJI holds significant variable interests in these entities, but is not the primary beneficiary. Consequently, these entities are accounted for under the equity method because SJI does not have both a) the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had a net asset of approximately $26.0 million included in Investment in Affiliates and Other Noncurrent Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to Millennium, LVE and Energenic, in addition to Notes Receivable – Affiliate as discussed above. SJI’s maximum exposure to loss from these entities as of March 31, 2011 is limited to its combined equity contributions and the Notes Receivable-Affiliate in the amount of $150.0 million.

SJRG and a joint venture partner formed Potato Creek, LLC (Potato Creek) in which SJRG has a 30% equity interest.  Potato Creek owns and manages the oil, gas and mineral rights of certain real estate in Pennsylvania.  The mineral rights have been leased to a third-party production company.

4.             COMMON STOCK:

The following shares were issued and outstanding at March 31:

 
 
2011
 
Beginning Balance, January 1
 
 
29,872,825
 
New Issues During Period:
 
 
 
 
Stock-Based Compensation Plan
 
 
80,269
 
Ending Balance, March 31
 
 
29,953,094
 

The par value ($1.25 per share) of stock issued was recorded in Common Stock and the net excess over par value of approximately $0.5 million was recorded in Premium on Common Stock.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (EPS) — Basic EPS is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  The incremental shares required for inclusion in the denominator for the diluted EPS calculation were 92,273 and 86,464 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 respectively.  These shares relate to SJI’s restricted stock as discussed in Note 2.
 
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN (DRP) —The Company offers a DRP which allows participating shareholders to purchase shares of SJI common stock by the automatic reinvestment of dividends or optional purchases. During 2011 and 2010, shares of common stock offered by the DRP have been purchased in open market transactions.
 
 
10

 
5.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

RESTRICTED INVESTMENTS — In accordance with the terms of the Marina and certain SJG loan agreements, unused proceeds are required to be escrowed pending approved construction expenditures. As of both March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the escrowed proceeds, including interest earned, totaled $1.3 million.

The Company maintains margin accounts with selected counterparties to support its risk management activities. The balances required to be held in these margin accounts increase as the net value of the outstanding energy related contracts with the respective counterparties decrease. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the balances in these accounts totaled $5.4 million and $7.1 million, respectively. The carrying amounts of the Restricted Investments approximate their fair values at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

LONG-TERM RECEIVABLES — SJG provides financing to customers for the purpose of attracting conversions to natural gas heating systems from competing fuel sources.  The terms of these loans call for customers to make monthly payments over a period of up to five years with no interest.  The carrying amounts of such loans were $10.6 million and $10.4 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The current portion of these receivables is reflected in Accounts Receivable and the non-current portion is reflected in Contract Receivables on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The carrying amounts noted above are net of unamortized discounts resulting from imputed interest in the amount of $1.2 million as of both March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  The annual amortization to interest is not material to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.   The carrying amounts of these receivables approximate their fair value at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
 
CREDIT RISK - As of March 31, 2011, approximately $11.3 million, or 32.9%, of the current and noncurrent Derivatives – Energy Related Assets are with a single retail counterparty. This counterparty has contracts with a large number of diverse customers which minimizes the concentration of this risk. A portion of these contracts may be assigned to SJI in the event of a default by the counterparty.

FINANCE OBLIGATION - During 2010, ACB Energy Partners LLC (ACB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energenic, of which Marina has a 50% equity interest, completed construction of a combined heat and power generating facility that will serve, under an energy services agreement, a thermal plant owned by Marina. Construction period financing was provided by Marina. Due to the continuing involvement in the facility, Marina is considered the owner of the facility for accounting purposes. As a result, the Company has included $23.4 million and $20.2 million of costs to construct the facility within Nonutility Property and Equipment on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. In addition, the Company recorded $19.9 million of repayments from ACB to Marina on the construction loan, within the Finance Obligation on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2011. Marina does not have a fixed payment obligation to ACB; as a result, the Finance Obligation is classified as a noncurrent liability. The costs to construct the facility and the repayments of the construction loan will be amortized over the term of the energy services agreement. The impact on the condensed consolidated statements of income is not significant.

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – The carrying amounts of SJI’s other financial instruments approximate their fair values at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 
11

 
6.
SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS:

SJI operates in several different reportable operating segments which reflect the financial information regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker. Gas Utility Operations (SJG) consists primarily of natural gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Wholesale Energy Operations include SJRG’s activities. SJE is involved in both retail gas and retail electric activities. Retail Gas and Other Operations include natural gas acquisition and transportation service business lines. Retail Electric Operations consist of electricity acquisition and transportation to commercial and industrial customers. On-Site Energy Production consists of Marina’s thermal energy facility and other energy-related projects. Appliance Service Operations includes SJESP’s servicing of appliances via the sale of appliance service programs as well as on a time and materials basis, and the installation of residential and small commercial HVAC systems.  The Retail Energy Operations caption includes Retail Gas and Other, Retail Electric, On-Site Energy Production and Appliance Service Operations. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.  Intersegment sales and transfers are treated as if the sales or transfers were to third parties at current market prices.

 Information about SJI’s operations in different reportable operating segments is presented below (in thousands):
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
Operating Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
 
$
180,323
 
 
$
196,716
 
Wholesale Energy Operations
 
 
48,271
 
 
 
54,441
 
Retail Energy Operations:
               
    Retail Gas and Other Operations
 
 
37,242
 
 
 
35,834
 
    Retail Electric Operations
 
 
59,895
 
 
 
31,950
 
    On-Site Energy Production
 
 
9,788
 
 
 
9,350
 
    Appliance Service Operations
 
 
4,434
 
 
 
4,712
 
        Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
   
111,359
     
81,846
 
Corporate & Services
 
 
5,964
 
 
 
5,403
 
Subtotal
 
 
345,917
 
 
 
338,406
 
Intersegment Sales
 
 
(13,995
)
 
 
(9,123
)
    Total Operating Revenues
 
$
331,922
 
 
$
329,283
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
 
$
58,493
 
 
$
47,791
 
Wholesale Energy Operations
 
 
9,657
 
 
 
20,294
 
Retail Energy Operations:
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
    Retail Gas and Other Operations
 
 
773
 
 
 
706
 
    Retail Electric Operations
   
3,863
     
(11,803
)
    On-Site Energy Production
   
1,094
     
1,110
 
    Appliance Service Operations
 
 
(590
)
 
 
262
 
        Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
   
5,140
     
(9,725
)
Corporate and Services
 
 
(243
)
 
 
269
 
    Total Operating  Income
 
$
73,047
 
 
$
58,629
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
 
$
10,303
 
 
$
9,485
 
Wholesale Energy Operations
 
 
66
 
 
 
72
 
Retail Energy Operations:
               
    Retail Gas and Other Operations
 
 
7
 
 
 
9
 
    On-Site Energy Production
 
 
990
 
 
 
977
 
    Appliance Service Operations
 
 
74
 
 
 
89
 
Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
 
 
1,071
 
 
 
1,075
 
Corporate and Services
   
161
     
130
 
Total Depreciation and Amortization
 
$
11,601
 
 
$
10,762
 
 
 
12

 
Interest Charges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
 
$
5,029
 
 
$
4,015
 
Wholesale Energy Operations
 
 
13
 
 
 
12
 
Retail Energy Operations:
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
    Retail Gas and Other Operations
 
 
60
 
 
 
22
 
    On-Site Energy Production
 
 
1,013
 
 
 
1,000
 
    Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
 
 
1,073
 
 
 
1,022
 
Corporate and  Services
 
 
495
 
 
 
57
 
     Subtotal
   
6,610
     
5,106
 
Intersegment Borrowings
   
(629
)
   
(140
)
    Total Interest Charges
 
$
5,981
 
 
$
4,966
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
 
$
22,046
 
 
$
18,139
 
Wholesale Energy Operations
 
 
4,162
 
 
 
8,477
 
Retail Energy Operations:
               
    Retail Gas and Other Operations
 
 
514
 
 
 
370
 
    Retail Electric Operations
 
 
1,578
 
 
 
(4,849
)
    On-Site Energy Production
 
 
(6,793
)
 
 
(540
)
    Appliance Service Operations
 
 
999
 
 
 
114
 
        Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
   
(3,702
)
   
(4,905
)
Corporate and Services
 
 
4
 
 
 
260
 
    Total Income Taxes
 
$
22,510
 
 
$
21,971
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property Additions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
 
$
20,438
 
 
$
31,731
 
Wholesale Energy Operations
   
24
     
6
 
Retail Energy Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Retail Gas and Other Operations
 
 
13
 
 
 
8
 
    On-Site Energy Production
 
 
6,707
 
 
 
235
 
    Appliance Service Operations
 
 
1
 
 
 
11
 
        Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
   
6,721
     
254
 
Corporate and Services
 
 
279
 
 
 
205
 
    Total Property Additions
 
$
27,462
 
 
$
32,196
 
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Identifiable Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
 
$
1,452,482
 
 
$
1,468,635
 
Wholesale Energy Operations
 
 
219,478
 
 
 
237,978
 
Retail Energy Operations:
               
    Retail Gas and Other Operations
 
 
26,268
 
 
 
21,532
 
    Retail Electric Operations
 
 
35,731
 
 
 
37,383
 
    On-Site Energy Production
 
 
179,972
 
 
 
147,064
 
    Appliance Service Operations
 
 
19,567
 
 
 
18,528
 
        Subtotal Retail Energy Operations
 
 
261,538
 
 
 
224,507
 
Discontinued Operations
 
 
550
 
 
 
890
 
Corporate and Services
   
106,602
     
168,788
 
Intersegment Assets
 
 
(21,517
)
 
 
(24,183
)
Total Identifiable Assets
 
$
2,019,133
 
 
$
2,076,615
 
 
 
13

 
7.
RATES AND REGULATORY ACTIONS:

SJG is subject to the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The Company made a filing with the BPU in October 2010 requesting an extension of the Capital Investment Recovery Tracker (CIRT).  The BPU approved the extension on March 29, 2011, allowing the Company to accelerate an additional $60.3 million of capital spending into 2011 and 2012.  Under the CIRT, the Company will earn a return of, and return on, investment as the capital is spent.
 
On March 29, 2011, SJG credited the accounts of its Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) customers with refunds totaling $21.1 million due to gas costs that were lower than projected during the winter season.  There have been no other significant regulatory actions or changes to SJG’s rate structure since December 31, 2010.  See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2010.

8.
REGULATORY ASSETS & REGULATORY LIABILITIES:

There have been no significant changes to the nature of the Company’s regulatory assets and liabilities since December 31, 2010 which are described in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2010.

Regulatory Assets consisted of the following items (in thousands):

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Environmental Remediation Costs:
               
Expended - Net
 
$
40,818
   
$
39,056
 
Liability for Future Expenditures
   
82,945
     
87,393
 
Income Taxes - Flowthrough Depreciation
   
529
     
774
 
Deferred Asset Retirement Obligation Costs
   
24,485
     
24,247
 
Deferred Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs
   
68,922
     
69,017
 
Conservation Incentive Program Receivable
   
4,416
     
12,291
 
Societal Benefit Costs Receivable
   
5,199
     
4,216
 
Premium for Early Retirement of Debt
   
659
     
699
 
Other Regulatory Assets
   
11,463
     
10,720
 
                 
Total Regulatory Assets
 
$
239,436
   
$
248,413
 

Regulatory Liabilities consisted of the following items (in thousands):

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Excess Plant Removal Costs
 
$
48,170
   
$
48,409
 
Deferred Revenues - Net
   
9,591
     
20,179
 
Other Regulatory Liabilities
   
3,385
     
660
 
                 
Total Regulatory Liabilities
 
$
61,146
   
$
69,248
 

 
DEFERRED REVENUES – NET – Over/under collections of gas costs are monitored through SJG’s BGSS mechanism.  Net undercollected gas costs are classified as a regulatory asset and net overcollected gas costs are classified as a regulatory liability.  Derivative contracts used to hedge natural gas purchases are also included in the BGSS, subject to BPU approval.  The BGSS decreased from a $20.2 million regulatory liability at December 31, 2010 to a $9.6 million regulatory liability at March 31, 2011 primarily due to the BGSS refund, to customers discussed above in Note 7 partially offset by gas costs recovered from customers exceeding the actual cost of the commodity incurred during the first three months of 2011 as a result of natural gas prices remaining at very low levels.

9.
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS:

For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, net periodic benefit cost related to the employee and officer pension and other postretirement benefit plans consisted of the following components (in thousands):

 
 
Pension Benefits
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
Service Cost
 
$
1,013
 
 
$
859
 
 
$
270
 
 
$
239
 
Interest Cost
 
 
2,358
 
 
 
2,261
 
 
 
780
 
 
 
821
 
Expected Return on Plan Assets
 
 
(2,344
)
 
 
(1,943
)
 
 
(562
)
 
 
(405
)
Amortizations:
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Prior Service Cost (Credits)
 
 
67
 
 
 
62
 
 
 
(89
)
 
 
(88
)
Actuarial Loss
 
 
1,303
 
 
 
1,376
 
 
 
393
 
 
 
456
 
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
 
 
2,397
 
 
 
2,615
 
 
 
792
 
 
 
1,023
 
ERIP Cost
   
102
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Capitalized Benefit Costs
 
 
(910
)
 
 
(988
)
 
 
(308
)
 
 
(419
)
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense
 
$
1,589
 
 
$
1,627
 
 
$
484
 
 
$
604
 
 
Capitalized benefit costs reflected in the table above relate to SJG’s construction program.

The ERIP costs reflected in the table above relate to an early retirement plan offered during 2011 to one of our business segments.

No contributions were made to the pension plans during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.  We do not expect to make any contributions to our pension plans in 2011; however, changes in future investment performance and discount rates may ultimately result in a contribution. We also have a regulatory obligation to contribute approximately $3.6 million annually to our other postretirement benefit plans’ trusts, less costs incurred directly by us.

See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2010, for additional information related to SJI’s pension and other postretirement benefits.
 
 
15

 
10.           UNUSED LINES OF CREDIT:
 
Credit facilities and available liquidity as of March 31, 2011 were as follows (in thousands):

 Company
 
Total
Facility
 
 
Usage
 
 
Available
Liquidity
 
Expiration Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SJG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility
 
$
100,000
 
 
$
14,550
 
 
$
85,450
 
August 2011 (A)
Line of Credit
 
 
40,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
40,000
 
August 2011 (A)
Uncommitted Bank Lines
 
 
40,000
 
 
 
5,700
 
 
 
34,300
 
Various
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total SJG
 
 
180,000
 
 
 
20,250
 
 
 
159,750
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SJI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility
 
$
200,000
 
 
$
190,075
 
 
$
9,925
 
August 2011 (A) (B)
Term Line of Credit
   
30,437
     
30,437
     
 
October 2011
Uncommitted Bank Lines
 
 
80,000
 
 
 
14,600
 
 
 
65,400
 
Various
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total SJI
 
 
310,437
 
 
 
235,112
 
 
 
75,325
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
490,437
 
 
$
255,362
 
 
$
235,075
 
 
 
(A)
See Note 15.
(B)
Includes letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $102.9 million.

The SJG facilities are restricted as to use and availability specifically to SJG; however, if necessary the SJI facilities can also be used to support SJG’s liquidity needs. All committed facilities contain one financial covenant regarding the ratio of total debt to total capitalization, measured on a quarterly basis. SJI and SJG were in compliance with this covenant as of March 31, 2011. Borrowings under these credit facilities are at market rates. The weighted average borrowing cost, which changes daily, was 0.98% and 0.77% at March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Average borrowings outstanding under these credit facilities during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $213.9 million and $174.3 million, respectively. The maximum amount outstanding under these credit facilities during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $258.4 million and $216.5 million, respectively.

11.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

GUARANTEES — The Company has recorded a liability of $1.9 million which is included in Other Noncurrent Liabilities with a corresponding increase in Investment in Affiliates on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2011 for the fair value of the following guarantees:

In April 2007, SJI guaranteed certain obligations of LVE Energy Partners, LLC (LVE) an unconsolidated joint venture in which Marina has a 50% equity interest.  LVE entered into a 25-year contract with a resort developer to design, build, own and operate a district energy system and central energy center for a planned resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.  LVE began construction of the facility in 2007 and expected to provide full energy service in 2010 when the resort was originally scheduled to be completed.  LVE suspended construction of the district energy system and central energy center in January 2009 after the resort developer’s August 2008 announcement that it was delaying the completion of construction of the resort due to the difficult environment in the capital markets and weak economic conditions.  The resort developer had indicated that it was considering different strategies to move its project forward, including opening its project in phases and obtaining a partner, but that it was unlikely construction would resume during 2009.  In March 2011, the resort developer, repeating previous disclosures, indicated again that they do not expect to resume construction on the project for three to five years.  They stated that they remain committed to having a significant presence on the Las Vegas Strip as part of a long-term growth strategy and continue to view this site as a major strategic asset.

 
16

 
The district energy system and central energy center are being financed by LVE with debt that is non-recourse to SJI. The outstanding balance of LVE’s bank debt is approximately $220.5 million as of March 31, 2011.  In September 2009, LVE reached an agreement with the banks that are financing the energy facilities to address defaults under the financing agreements. These LVE defaults were caused by the resort developer’s construction delay and the termination of an energy services agreement by a hotel operator associated with the project. As a result of these defaults, the banks had previously stopped funding the project. The terms of the September 2009 agreement required SJI and its partner in this joint venture to guarantee the payment of future interest costs by LVE through, at the latest, December 2010. In addition, SJI and its partner in this joint venture each committed to provide approximately $8.9 million of additional capital as of September 2009 to cover costs related to the termination of the energy services agreement by a hotel operator and interest costs incurred since August 2008 when the resort developer suspended construction. Of this amount, $6.7 million was in the form of an irrevocable letter of credit from a bank and the remaining $2.2 million was provided in cash in 2009. In turn, the banks waived all existing defaults under the financing agreements and were relieved of their commitment to provide additional funding. The $6.7 million discussed above, along with the $30.4 million of capital that Marina originally agreed to contribute as part of its construction period financing, was contributed in December 2010. As a result of the construction delay, the district energy system and central energy center were not completed by the end of 2010 as originally expected. Consequently, the full amount of LVE’s debt became due and payable in December 2010. LVE intends to seek additional financing to complete the facility once construction of the resort resumes, however, as of December 31, 2010, LVE was in default under the financing agreements with the banks.  The Energy Sales Agreement between LVE and the resort developer includes a payment obligation by the resort developer to pay certain fees and expenses to LVE. A portion of this payment obligation is guaranteed to LVE’s lenders by the parent of the resort developer.

In March 2011, LVE reached agreements with (a) the resort developer, that specified the payments to be made by the developer to LVE during the suspension period and provided the developer and its corporate parent with an option to purchase the assets of LVE, and (b) the banks that are financing the energy facilities to address the existing default under the financing agreements. The terms of the March 2011 agreement requires the resort developer to pay certain fees and expenses to LVE on a monthly basis beginning in March 2011 until construction of the resort resumes or until the resort developer has exercised its option to purchase the energy facilities from LVE. The monthly payments to be paid to LVE by the resort developer are expected to be in amounts sufficient to reimburse LVE for costs to maintain the energy facilities and to cover debt service costs. The resort developer has provided LVE with a $6.0 million letter of credit to support its monthly payment obligation.

The banks that are financing the energy facilities have agreed not to exercise their rights under the financing agreements resulting from the event of default discussed above through December 2013, provided that no additional events of default occur. SJI and its joint venture partner have provided a total of $10.0 million in letters of credit to the banks to support LVE’s obligations, which can be drawn upon by the banks at the end of the existing agreement in December 2013 or upon the occurrence of an event of default by LVE prior to December 2013.

As of March 31, 2011, the Company had a net liability of approximately $1.6 million included in Other Noncurrent Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to this project, in addition to unsecured Notes Receivable – Affiliate of approximately $55.7 million due from LVE. As of March 31, 2011, SJI’s capital at risk is limited to its equity contributions, letters of credit and the unsecured notes receivable totaling approximately $70.9 million. During 2011, SJI provided support to LVE of approximately $4.3 million to cover interest and other project related costs.

As a result of the construction delay, management has evaluated the investment in LVE and concluded that the fair value of this investment continues to be in excess of the carrying value as of March 31, 2011.

In 2007, SJI issued a performance guaranty for up to $180.0 million to the resort developer to ensure that certain construction milestones relating to the development of the thermal facility are met. As a result of the resort developer not achieving certain milestones, SJI is no longer obligated under this guaranty. SJI has also guaranteed certain performance obligations of LVE under the operating agreements between LVE and the resort developer, up to $20.0 million each year for the term of the agreement, commencing with the first year of operations.  SJI and its partner in this joint venture have entered into reimbursement agreements that secure reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI on these guarantees.

 
17

 
SJI has guaranteed certain obligations of BC Landfill Energy, LLC (BCLE) and WC Landfill Energy, LLC (WCLE), unconsolidated joint ventures in which Marina has a 50% equity interest through Energenic. BCLE and WCLE have entered into agreements ranging from 15-20 years with the respective county governments to lease and operate facilities that will produce electricity from landfill methane gas.  Although unlikely, the maximum amount that SJI could be obligated for, in the event that BCLE and WCLE do not meet minimum specified levels of operating performance and no mitigating action is taken, or are unable to meet certain financial obligations as they become due, is approximately $4.2 million each year.  SJI and its partner in these joint ventures have entered into reimbursement agreements that secure reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI on these guarantees.  SJI holds variable interests in BCLE and WCLE but is not the primary beneficiary.

SJI has guaranteed the long-term debt obligations of AC Landfill Energy, LLC (ACLE), which has entered into a long-term agreement with a county government to lease and operate a facility that will produce electricity from landfill methane gas. Although unlikely, the maximum amount that SJI could be obligated for, in the event that ACLE is unable to meet certain financial obligations as they become due, is approximately $1.5 million.  SJI and its partner in this joint venture have entered into a reimbursement agreement that secures reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI on this guarantee.  SJI holds a variable interest in ACLE but is not the primary beneficiary.

As of March 31, 2011, SJI had issued $4.4 million of parental guarantees on behalf of an unconsolidated subsidiary. These guarantees generally expire within the next two years and were issued to enable our subsidiary to market retail natural gas.

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION OBLIGATION -  In February 2011, ACR Energy Partners, LLC (ACR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energenic, of which Marina has a 50% equity interest, entered into a 20 year contract with a developer to build, own and operate a central energy center and energy distribution system for a planned hotel, casino and entertainment complex in Atlantic City, New Jersey. ACR expects to provide construction energy to the complex in 2011 and provide full energy services when the complex is completed in 2012. Marina and its joint venture partner will make capital contributions to ACR that will enable ACR to a) repay $42.0 million of construction advances made by the developer and b) deposit $2.8 million in a debt service reserve fund, provided, in each case, that the developer has met certain conditions. These conditions include, among others, substantial completion of the complex and demonstration of adequate financial resources to operate the complex. Marina and its joint venture partner have also agreed to provide a $5.0 million letter of credit in 2012 to support certain operating performance obligations of ACR under the operating agreements between ACR and the developer, provided the developers has met the conditions just outlined. SJI and its partner in this joint venture have entered into reimbursement agreements that secure reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI to or on behalf of ACR.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS — Unionized personnel represent approximately 51% of our workforce at March 31, 2011. The Company has collective bargaining agreements with two unions that represent these employees: the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1293 and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 76.  SJG and SJESP employees represented by the IBEW operate under a collective bargaining agreement that runs through February 2013, with the option to extend until February 2014 at the union’s election. The remaining unionized employees represented by the IAM operate under a collective bargaining agreement that expires in August 2014.

STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT — SJI provided $102.9 million of standby letters of credit through SJI’s revolving credit facility. Letters of credit in the amount of $62.3 million support variable-rate demand bonds issued through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to finance Marina’s initial thermal plant project and $40.6 million were posted to enable SJE to market retail electricity and for various construction activities. The Company also provided an additional $25.2 million letter of credit under a separate facility outside of the revolving credit facility to support variable-rate demand bonds issued through the NJEDA to finance the expansion of SJG’s natural gas distribution system.  This letter of credit expires in August 2011.

 
18

 
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS — SJI incurred and recorded costs for environmental cleanup of 12 sites where SJG or its predecessors operated gas manufacturing plants. SJG stopped manufacturing gas in the 1950s. SJI and some of its nonutility subsidiaries also recorded costs for environmental cleanup of sites where SJF previously operated a fuel oil business and Morie maintained equipment, fueling stations and storage. There have been no changes to the status of the Company’s environmental remediation efforts since December 31, 2010 as described in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2010.

12.
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS:

Certain SJI subsidiaries are involved in buying, selling, transporting and storing natural gas and buying and selling retail electricity for their own accounts as well as managing these activities for third parties. These subsidiaries are subject to market risk on expected future purchases and sales due to commodity price fluctuations. The Company uses a variety of derivative instruments to limit this exposure to market risk in accordance with strict corporate guidelines.  These derivative instruments include forward contracts, swap agreements, options contracts and futures contracts. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding derivative contracts intended to limit the exposure to market risk on 17.8 MMdts of expected future purchases of natural gas, 13.0 MMdts of expected future sales of natural gas, 2.0 MMmwh of expected future purchases of electricity and 0.1 MMmwh of expected future sales of electricity.  These contracts, which have not been designated as hedging instruments under GAAP, are measured at fair value and recorded in Derivatives — Energy Related Assets or Derivatives — Energy Related Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The net unrealized pre-tax gains and losses for these energy related commodity contracts are included with realized gains and losses in Operating Revenues – Nonutility.

The Company has also entered into interest rate derivatives to hedge exposure to increasing interest rates and the impact of those rates on cash flows of variable-rate debt. There have been no significant changes to the Company’s active interest rate swaps since December 31, 2010 which are described in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2010.

The fair values of all derivative instruments, as reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, are as follows (in thousands):

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
 
March 31, 2011
 
 
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
Assets
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy related commodity contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related – Current
 
$
27,682
 
 
$
22,012
 
 
$
39,513
 
 
$
42,297
 
Derivatives – Energy Related – Non-Current
 
 
6,744
 
 
 
3,639
 
 
 
11,556
 
 
 
8,641
 
Interest rate contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives - Other
 
 
 
 
 
4,759
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,539
 
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
 
 
34,426
 
 
 
30,410
 
 
 
51,069
 
 
 
56,477
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives - Other
 
 
 
 
 
1,728
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,865
 
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
 
 
 
 
 
1,728
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,865
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Derivatives
 
$
34,426
 
 
$
32,138
 
 
$
51,069
 
 
$
58,342
 
 
 
19


The effect of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
Three months ended
 March 31,
 
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Losses) or Gains recognized in OCI on effective portion
 
$
(180
)
 
$
72
 
Losses reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (a)
 
$
(360
)
 
$
(232
)
Gains or (losses) recognized in income on ineffective portion (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 

(a) Included in Interest Charges

 
 
Three months ended
 March 31,
 
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under GAAP
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains (Losses) on energy related commodity contracts (a)
 
$
4,475
 
 
$
(22,124
)
Gains (Losses) on interest rate contracts (b)
 
 
261
 
 
 
(239
)
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
4,736
 
 
$
(22,363
)

(a)  Included in Operating Revenues - Non Utility
(b)  Included in Interest Charges

Net realized losses associated with SJG’s energy-related financial commodity contracts of $4.6 million and $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, are not included in the above table. These contracts are part of SJG’s regulated risk management activities that serve to mitigate BGSS costs passed on to its customers. As these transactions are entered into pursuant to, and recoverable through, regulatory riders, any changes in the value of SJG’s energy related financial commodity contracts are deferred in Regulatory Assets or Liabilities and there is no impact to earnings.

Certain of the Company’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions in the event of a material adverse change in the credit standing of the Company. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a liability position on March 31, 2011, is $10.3 million.   If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements were triggered on March 31, 2011, the Company would have been required to settle the instruments immediately or post collateral to its counterparties of approximately $7.7 million after offsetting asset positions with the same counterparties under master netting arrangements.

13.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes fair value measurements based on the types of inputs used for the various valuation techniques.  The levels of the hierarchy are described below:

 
Level 1:  Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 
Level 2:  Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; these include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

 
Level 3:  Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

Assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of financial assets and financial liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

 
20

 
For financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, information about the fair value measurements for each major category is as follows (in thousands):

As of March 31, 2011
 
 
Total
 
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
                         
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale Securities (A)
 
$
7,034
 
 
$
19
 
 
$
7,015
 
 
$
 
Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B)
 
 
34,426
 
 
 
13,757
 
 
 
17,174
 
 
 
3,495
 
 
 
$
41,460
 
 
$
13,776
 
 
$
24,189
 
 
$
3,495
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B)
 
$
25,651
 
 
$
10,325
 
 
$
11,215
 
 
$
4,111
 
Derivatives – Other (C)
 
 
6,487
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,487
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
32,138
 
 
$
10,325
 
 
$
17,702
 
 
$
4,111
 

As of December 31, 2010
 
 
Total
 
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale Securities (A)
 
$
6,720
 
 
$
6,720
 
 
$
 
 
$
 
Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B)
 
 
51,069
 
 
 
21,204
 
 
 
24,878
 
 
 
4,987
 
 
 
$
57,789
 
 
$
27,924
 
 
$
24,878
 
 
$
4,987
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B)
 
$
50,938
 
 
$
19,513
 
 
$
23,275
 
 
$
8,150
 
Derivatives – Other (C)
 
 
7,404
 
 
 
 
 
 
7,404
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
58,342
 
 
$
19,513
 
 
$
30,679
 
 
$
8,150
 
 
(A) Available-for-Sale Securities include securities that are traded in active markets and securities that are not traded publicly.  The securities traded in active markets are valued using the quoted principal market close prices that are provided by the trustees and are categorized in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.  The remaining securities consist of funds that are not publicly traded.  These funds, which consist of stocks and bonds that are traded individually in active markets, are valued using quoted prices for similar assets and are categorized in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

(B) Derivatives – Energy Related Assets and Liabilities are traded in both exchange-based and non-exchange-based markets. Exchange-based contracts are valued using unadjusted quoted market sources in active markets and are categorized in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Certain non-exchange-based contracts are valued using indicative price quotations available through brokers or over-the-counter, on-line exchanges and are categorized in Level 2. These price quotations reflect the average of the bid-ask mid-point prices and are obtained from sources that management believes provide the most liquid market. For non-exchange-based derivatives that trade in less liquid markets with limited pricing information, model inputs generally would include both observable and unobservable inputs. In instances where observable data is unavailable, management considers the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. This includes assumptions about market risks such as liquidity, volatility and contract duration. Such instruments are categorized in Level 3 as the model inputs generally are not observable. Management reviews and corroborates the price quotations to ensure the prices are observable which includes consideration of actual transaction volumes, market delivery points, bid-ask spreads and contract duration.

(C) Derivatives – Other are valued using quoted prices on commonly quoted intervals, which are interpolated for periods different than the quoted intervals, as inputs to a market valuation model. Market inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment.

 
21

 
Transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy may occur based on the level of observable inputs used to value the instruments from period to period.  During the three months ended March 31, 2011, there were no transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy, including no transfers in or out of Level 3.

The changes in fair value measurements of Derivatives – Energy Related Assets and Liabilities at March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), are as follows (in thousands):

 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
Balance at January 1
 
 $
(3,163
)
 
 $
(10,299
)
Total losses (realized/unrealized) included in earnings
 
 
(2,151
)
 
 
(16,470
)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3, net
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
Settlements
 
 
4,698
 
 
 
1,933
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at March 31
 
$
(616
)
 
$
(24,836
)

Total losses for 2011 included in earnings that are attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to those assets and liabilities still held as of March 31, 2011, is $2.2 million.  These losses are included in Operating Revenues-Nonutility on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

14.
LONG-TERM DEBT:

The Company did not issue any long term debt during the first three months of 2011.  During the first three months of 2010, SJG issued $15.0 million of its Medium Term Notes in a private placement due 2026.  As of both March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, $35.0 million remained available under this $150.0 million Medium Term Note program that was approved by the NJBPU in September 2009.

The estimated fair values of SJI’s long-term debt, including current maturities, as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, were $510.4 million and $517.0 million, respectively.  The carrying amounts of SJI’s long-term debt, including current maturities, as of both March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, were $451.4 million.  We based the estimates on interest rates available to SJI at the end of each period for debt with similar terms and maturities.  The carrying amounts of SJI’s other financial instruments approximate their fair values at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

15.           SUBSEQUENT EVENT:

New revolving credit facilities were established by SJI and SJG in April 2011 and May 2011, respectively. The SJI facility is a $300.0 million, four-year facility provided by a syndicate of banks. The SJG facility is a $200.0 million, four-year facility, provided by the same syndicate of banks. Each facility contains one financial covenant limiting the ratio of indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization to not more than 0.65 to 1. These facilities replace SJI’s $200.0 million revolving credit facility and SJG’s $100.0 million revolving credit facility and $40.0 million committed line of credit, all of which would otherwise have expired in August of 2011. The letters of credit that provide liquidity support for the variable-rate revenue bonds issued by Marina are now issued under SJI’s new revolving credit facility that expires in 2015. Consequently, these bonds, which were included in the current portion of long-term debt as of December 31, 2010, are now included in long-term debt as of March 31, 2011.

 
22

 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors — Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report may qualify as “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Report should be considered forward-looking statements made in good faith and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “goal”, “intend”, “objective”, “plan”, “project”, “seek”, “strategy” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are 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; “non-routine” or “extraordinary” disruptions in our distribution system; regulatory, legislative and court decisions; competition; the availability and cost of capital; costs and effects of legal proceedings and environmental liabilities; the failure of customers, suppliers or business partners to fulfill their contractual obligations; and changes in business strategies.

A discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties may be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and in other filings made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These cautionary statements should not be construed by you to be exhaustive and they are made only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or in any document incorporated by reference, at the date of such document. While South Jersey Industries, Inc. (SJI or the Company) believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the expectations derived from them will be realized. Further, SJI undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Critical Accounting Policies — Estimates and Assumptions — Management must make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Five types of transactions presented in our condensed consolidated financial statements require a significant amount of judgment and estimation. These relate to regulatory accounting, derivatives, environmental remediation costs, pension and other postretirement employee benefit costs, and revenue recognition. A discussion of these estimates and assumptions may be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

New Accounting Pronouncements — No new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during 2010 and 2011 had, or is expected to have, a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Regulatory Actions —Other than the changes discussed in Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, there have been no significant regulatory actions since December 31, 2010. See detailed discussion concerning Regulatory Actions in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2010.

Environmental Remediation —There have been no significant changes to the status of the Company’s environmental remediation efforts since December 31, 2010. See detailed discussion concerning Environmental Remediation in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2010.

 
23

 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

SJI operates in several different reportable operating segments. Gas Utility Operations (SJG) consists primarily of natural gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Wholesale Energy Operations include the activities of South Jersey Resources Group, LLC (SJRG). South Jersey Energy Company (SJE) is involved in both retail gas and retail electric activities. Retail Gas and Other Operations include natural gas acquisition and transportation service business lines. Retail Electric Operations consist of electricity acquisition and transportation to commercial and industrial customers. On-Site Energy Production consists of Marina’s thermal energy facility and other energy-related projects. Appliance Service Operations includes South Jersey Energy Service Plus, LLC (SJESP’s) servicing of appliances via the sale of appliance service programs as well as on a time and materials basis, and the installation of residential and small commercial HVAC systems.  The Retail Energy Operations caption includes Retail Gas and Other, Retail Electric, On-Site Energy Production and Appliance Service Operations.

Net Income attributable to SJI for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased $19.9 million, or 63.1% to $51.5 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010 primarily as a result of the following:

 
The income contribution from SJE for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased $9.5 million to $3.0 million due primarily to the change in unrealized gains and losses on forward financial contracts used to mitigate price risk on electric as discussed under Operating Revenues – Nonutility below.

 
The income contribution from Marina for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased $9.5 million to $9.0 million due primarily to the impact of the investment tax credit available on renewable energy facilities.

 
The income contribution from SJG for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased $6.4 million, or 24.8%, to $32.3 million due primarily to the settlement of the base rate case in September 2010.

 
The income contribution from SJRG for the three months ended March 31, 2011 decreased $6.1 million, or 50.2%, to $6.0 million due primarily to tighter spreads on our storage and transportation assets, partially offset by the change in unrealized gains and losses on derivatives used by SJRG to mitigate natural gas commodity price risk, as discussed below.

A significant portion of the volatility in operating results is due to the impact of the accounting methods associated with SJI’s derivative activities. The Company uses derivatives to limit its exposure to market risk on transactions to buy, sell, transport and store natural gas and to buy and sell retail electricity. The Company also uses derivatives to limit its exposure to increasing interest rates on variable-rate debt.
 
The types of transactions that cause the most significant volatility in operating results are as follows:

 
SJRG purchases and holds natural gas in storage to earn a profit margin from its ultimate sale in the future. SJRG uses derivatives to mitigate commodity price risk in order to substantially lock-in the profit margin that will ultimately be realized. However, gas stored in inventory is accounted for at the lower of average cost or market; the derivatives used to reduce the risk associated with a change in the value of the inventory are accounted for at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in operating results in the period of change. As a result, earnings are subject to volatility as the market price of derivatives change, even when the underlying hedged value of the inventory is unchanged. This volatility can be significant from period to period. Over time, gains or losses on sale of gas in storage will be offset by losses or gains on the derivatives, resulting in the realization of the profit margin expected when the transactions were initiated.
 
 
24

 
 
SJE uses forward contracts to mitigate commodity price risk on fixed price electric contracts with customers. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), the forward contracts are recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings in the period of change. The related customer contracts are not considered derivatives and therefore are not recorded in earnings until the electric is delivered. As a result, earnings are subject to volatility as the market price of the forward contracts change, even when the underlying hedged value of the customer contract is unchanged. Over time, gains or losses on the sale of the fixed price electric under contract will be offset by losses or gains on the forward contracts, resulting in the realization of the profit margin expected when the transactions were initiated.

As a result, management also uses the non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) financial measures of Economic Earnings, Economic Earnings per share, Non-Utility Economic Earnings, Wholesale Energy Economic Earnings and Retail Energy Economic Earnings when evaluating the results of operations for its nonutility operations. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures, such as net income, operating income, earnings per share from continuing operations or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.

We define Economic Earnings as: Income from continuing operations, (1) less the change in unrealized gains and plus the change in unrealized losses, as applicable and in each case after tax, on all commodity derivative transactions and the ineffective portion of interest rate derivative transactions that we are marking to market, and (2) adjusting for realized gains and losses, as applicable and in each case after tax, on all hedges attributed to inventory transactions to align them with the related cost of inventory in the period of withdrawal.

Economic Earnings is a significant performance metric used by our management to indicate the amount and timing of income from continuing operations that we expect to earn after taking into account the impact of derivative instruments on the related transactions. Specifically, we believe that this financial measure indicates to investors the profitability of the entire derivative related transaction and not just the portion that is subject to mark-to-market valuation under GAAP. Considering only the change in market value on the derivative side of the transaction can produce a false sense as to the ultimate profitability of the total transaction as no change in value is reflected for the non-derivative portion of the transaction.

Economic Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased $4.3 million, or 9.6%, to $48.9 million compared with the same period in 2010, primarily as a result of the following:

 
The income contribution from Marina for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased $8.3 million to $8.6 million due primarily to the impact of the investment tax credit available on renewable energy facilities.
 
 
The income contribution from SJG for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased $6.4 million, or 24.8%, to $32.3 million due primarily to the settlement of the base rate case in September 2010.
 
 
The income contribution from SJRG for the three months ended March 31, 2011 decreased $11.0 million, or 67.1%, to $5.4 million due primarily to tighter spreads on our storage and transportation assets.

 
25

 
The following table presents a reconciliation of our income from continuing operations and earnings per share from continuing operations to Economic Earnings and Economic Earnings per share for the three months ended March 31 (in thousands except per share data):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31
 
 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from Continuing Operations
 
$
51,831
 
 
$
31,568
 
Minus/Plus:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Mark-to-Market (Gains)/Losses on Derivatives and Realized (Gains)/Losses on Inventory Injection Hedges
 
 
(2,945
)
 
 
13,043
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Economic Earnings
 
$
48,886
 
 
$
44,611
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations
 
$
1.73
 
 
$
1.06
 
Minus/Plus:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Mark-to-Market (Gains)/Losses on Derivatives and Realized (Gains)/Losses on Inventory Injection Hedges
 
 
(0.10
)
 
 
0.43
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Economic Earnings per Share
 
$
1.63
 
 
$
1.49
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Utility Income from Continuing Operations
 
$
19,535
 
 
$
5,698
 
Minus/Plus:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Mark-to-Market (Gains)/Losses on Derivatives and Realized (Gains)/Losses on Inventory Injection Hedges
 
 
(2,945
)
 
 
13,043
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Utility Economic Earnings
 
$
16,590
 
 
$
18,741
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wholesale Energy Income from Continuing Operations
 
$
6,027
 
 
$
12,091
 
Minus/Plus:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Mark-to-Market (Gains)/Losses on Derivatives and Realized (Gains)/Losses on Inventory Injection Hedges
 
 
(656
)
 
 
4,246
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wholesale Energy Economic Earnings
 
$
5,371
 
 
$
16,337
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail Energy Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
 
$
13,508
 
 
$
(6,393
)
Minus/Plus:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Mark-to-Market (Gains)/Losses on Derivatives and Realized (Gains)/Losses on Inventory Injection Hedges
 
 
(2,289
)
 
 
8,797
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail Energy Economic Earnings
 
$
11,219
 
 
$
2,404
 

 
26

 
The following tables summarize the composition of selected South Jersey Gas Company (SJG) data for the three months ended March 31 (in thousands, except for degree day data):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Utility Throughput – dth:
           
Firm Sales -
           
Residential
   
11,241
     
11,431
 
Commercial
   
2,795
     
2,694
 
Industrial
   
155
     
148
 
Cogeneration & Electric Generation
   
120
     
44
 
Firm Transportation -
               
Residential
   
1,253
     
982
 
Commercial
   
2,759
     
2,641
 
Industrial
   
3,445
     
3,089
 
Cogeneration & Electric Generation
   
2,401
     
2,193
 
Total Firm Throughput
   
24,169
     
23,222
 
                 
Interruptible Sales
   
3
     
3
 
Interruptible Transportation
   
692
     
586
 
Off-System
   
1,904
     
1,116
 
Capacity Release
   
10,155
     
10,189
 
Total Throughput -Utility
   
36,923
     
35,116
 

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
March 31,
 
 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
Utility Operating Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Firm Sales -
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
$
114,852
 
 
$
137,515
 
Commercial
 
 
26,800
 
 
 
29,623
 
Industrial
 
 
1,720
 
 
 
1,795
 
Cogeneration & Electric Generation
 
 
809
 
 
 
411
 
Firm Transportation -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
 
6,550
 
 
 
4,454
 
Commercial
 
 
9,705
 
 
 
8,599
 
Industrial
 
 
4,395
 
 
 
3,976
 
Cogeneration & Electric Generation
 
 
1,742
 
 
 
2,009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Firm Revenues
 
 
166,573
 
 
 
188,382
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interruptible Sales
 
 
54
 
 
 
48
 
Interruptible Transportation
 
 
634
 
 
 
607
 
Off-System
 
 
10,134
 
 
 
6,924
 
Capacity Release
 
 
2,671
 
 
 
518
 
Other
 
 
257
 
 
 
237
 
 
 
 
180,323
 
 
 
196,716
 
Less: Intercompany Sales
 
 
(5,934
)
 
 
(659
)
                 
Total Utility Operating Revenues
 
 
174,389
 
 
 
196,057
 
 
 
27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Sales
 
 
82,640
 
 
 
116,216
 
Conservation Recoveries*
 
 
3,255
 
 
 
3,119
 
RAC Recoveries*
 
 
1,591
 
 
 
1,741
 
EET Recoveries*
 
 
509
 
 
 
179
 
Revenue Taxes
 
 
3,873
 
 
 
3,752
 
Utility Margin
 
$
82,521
 
 
$
71,050
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Margin:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
$
58,799
 
 
$
45,300
 
Commercial and Industrial
 
 
21,327
 
 
 
14,958
 
Cogeneration and Electric Generation
 
 
775
 
 
 
709
 
Interruptible
 
 
48
 
 
 
38
 
Off-system & Capacity Release
 
 
695
 
 
 
309
 
Other Revenues
 
 
256
 
 
 
236
 
Margin Before Weather Normalization & Decoupling
 
 
81,900
 
 
 
61,550
 
CIRT Mechanism
 
 
566
 
 
 
2,024
 
CIP Mechanism
 
 
(26
)
 
 
7,442
 
EET Mechanism
 
 
81
 
 
 
34
 
Utility Margin
 
$
82,521
 
 
$
71,050
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Degree Days:
 
 
2,495
 
 
 
2,433
 

*Represents expenses for which there is a corresponding credit in operating revenues.  Therefore, such recoveries have no impact on our financial results.

Throughput - Utility - Total gas throughput increased 1.8 MMdts, or 5.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared with the same period in 2010.  This increase was realized in the firm and Off-System Sales (OSS) markets.  Firm throughput increased 0.9 MMdts, or 4.1%, primarily as a result of 2.6% colder weather during the first quarter of 2011, compared with the first quarter of 2010.  In addition, SJG added 3,746 customers over the twelve month period ended March 31, 2011, which represents a growth rate of 1.1%.  OSS increased 0.8 MMdts, or 70.6%, as a result of increased capacity for such sales.  Additional capacity became available during the latter part of 2010 as capacity previously transferred out of SJG under the provisions of the Conservation Incentive Program was returned to the utility.

Conservation Incentive Program (CIP) - Utility - The effects of the CIP on SJG’s net income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 and the associated weather comparisons were as follows ($’s in millions):

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
Net Income Benefit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
CIP – Weather Related
 
$
(0.6
)
 
$
0.4
 
CIP – Usage Related
 
 
0.6
 
 
 
4.0
 
Total Net Income Benefit
 
$
0.0
 
 
$
4.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weather Compared to 20-Year Average
 
1.6% colder
 
 
0.2% colder
 
Weather Compared to Prior Year
 
2.6% colder
 
 
3.4% warmer
 

Operating Revenues  - Utility -  SJG’s revenues decreased $21.7 million, or 11.1%, during the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in the prior year after eliminating intercompany transactions.  Firm sales revenue decreased $21.8 million, or 11.6%, during the first quarter of 2011 versus the first quarter of 2010, as the result of lower natural gas costs experienced during the first quarter of 2011. The average cost of natural gas purchased during the first quarter of 2011 was $6.45 per dt, representing an 11.1% decrease relative to the average cost of $7.26 per dt during the same period in 2010.

 
28

 
While changes in gas costs and Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) recoveries may fluctuate from period to period, SJG does not profit from the sale of the commodity.  Therefore, corresponding fluctuations in Operating Revenue or Cost of Sales have no impact on Company profitability, as further discussed under “Margin - Utility.”

OSS revenue and capacity release revenue increased $3.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively, during the first quarter of 2011 versus the first quarter of 2010, as both sales volume and capacity release unit prices increased. As previously stated under “Throughput - Utility,” this was made possible when additional capacity became available during the latter part of 2010, as capacity previously transferred out of SJG under the CIP was returned to SJG. As reflected in the Margin table above, the impact of the higher OSS did not have a material impact on the earnings of the Company, as SJG is required to share 85% of the profits of such activity with the ratepayers.

Operating Revenues — Nonutility -  Combined revenues for SJI’s nonutility businesses, net of intercompany transactions, increased by $24.3 million, or 18.2%, in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in 2010.

SJE’s revenues from retail gas, net of intercompany transactions, increased by $1.7 million, or 4.8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in 2010 due mainly to a 19.0% increase in sales volumes due to commercial and large volume customer acquisitions which was partially offset by a 22.5% decrease in the average monthly New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) settle price for the comparative periods. As of March 31, SJE was serving the following number of retail gas customers:

   
March 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
Residential
    6,598       8,408  
                 
Commercial & Large Volume
    915       1,056  

Sales volumes for the comparative period were as follows (in dekatherms):
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
Residential
    286,768       358,702  
                 
Commercial & Large Volume
    5,655,167       4,633,387  

Market conditions continue to make it difficult to be competitive in the residential and small commercial markets. We continue to focus our marketing efforts on the pursuit of non-heat-sensitive commercial customers in an effort to mitigate price volatility and weather risk.

SJE’s revenues from retail electricity, net of intercompany transactions, increased $28.7 million, or 96.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in 2010. Excluding the impact of the net change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts due to price volatility of $16.9 million, revenues increased $11.7 million, or 27.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in 2010. A summary of SJE’s revenues from retail electricity is as follows (in millions):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
 
Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SJE Retail Electric Revenue
 
$
58.3
 
 
$
29.6
 
 
$
28.7
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add: Unrealized Losses (Subtract: Unrealized Gains)
 
 
(3.3
)
 
 
13.7
 
 
 
(17.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SJE Retail Electric Revenue, Excluding Unrealized Losses (Gains)
 
$
55.0
 
 
$
43.3
 
 
$
11.7
 

 
29

 
This increase was mainly due to customer growth and a 7.7% increase in the average monthly Locational Marginal Price (LMP) per megawatt hour for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period of 2010.  SJE uses forward financial contracts to mitigate commodity price risk on fixed price electric contracts. In accordance with GAAP, the forward financial contracts are recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings in the period of change. The related customer contracts are not considered derivatives and therefore are not recorded in earnings until the electric is delivered. As a result, earnings are subject to volatility as the market price of the forward financial contracts change, even when the underlying hedged value of the customer contract is unchanged. Over time, gains or losses on the sale of the fixed price electric under contract will be offset by losses or gains on the forward financial contracts, resulting in the realization of the profit margin expected when the transactions were initiated. With the exception of one contract with a consortium of school districts, most of SJE’s retail electric customer contracts are market-priced.

SJRG’s revenues, net of intercompany transactions, decreased $6.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in 2010. Excluding the impact of the net change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts of $9.8 million due to price volatility and adjusting for realized gains and losses on all hedges attributed to inventors transactions of 0.9 million to align them with the related cost of inventory in the period of withdrawal, SJRG’s revenues decreased $15.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

A summary of SJRG’s revenue for the three months ended March 31 is as follows (in millions):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
 
Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SJRG Revenue
 
$
48.2
 
 
$
54.3
 
 
$
(6.1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Add: Unrealized Losses (Subtract: Unrealized Gains)
   
(1.4
)
 
 
8.4
 
 
 
(9.8
)
                         
Add: Realized Losses (Subtract: Realized Gains) on Inventory Injection Hedges
 
 
0.2
     
(0.7
)
   
0.9
 
                         
SJRG Revenue, Excluding Unrealized Losses (Gains) and Realized Losses (Gains) on Inventory Injection Hedges
 
$
47.0
 
 
$
62.0
 
 
$
(15.0
)

The decrease in revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in 2010 was due mainly to a 22.5% decrease in the average monthly NYMEX settle price for the comparative periods which was partially offset by a 16.8% increase in storage volumes sold.  As discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2010, revenues and expenses related to the energy trading activities of SJRG are presented on a net basis in Operating Revenues – Nonutility.

Revenues for Marina increased $0.4 million, or 4.7%, in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in 2010 due mainly to a 9.4% increase in hot water volumetric production and slightly higher chilled and hot water rates.

Revenues for SJESP decreased $0.3 million or 5.9% in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in 2010 due mainly to a decrease in customer warranty contract sales.

Margin – Utility — SJG’s margin is defined as natural gas revenues less natural gas costs; volumetric and revenue based energy taxes; and regulatory rider expenses. SJG believes that margin provides a more meaningful basis for evaluating utility operations than revenues since natural gas costs, regulatory rider expenses and related energy taxes are passed through to customers, and therefore, they have no effect on margin. Natural gas costs are charged to operating expenses on the basis of therm sales at the prices approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) through SJG’s BGSS tariff.

Total margin increased $11.5 million, or 16.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared with the same period in 2010 primarily due to the base rate increase granted in September 2010 and customer additions. Certain revenues previously recovered through the Capital Investment Recovery Tracker (CIRT) and the CIP were rolled into base rates resulting in decreased recoveries under these programs in 2011.

 
30

 
Under the CIP, higher customer usage resulting from weather that was 2.6% colder than last year generated pre-tax margin of approximately $1.0 million that offset the margin that would have been lost due to lower non-weather related customer usage.  In the first quarter of 2010, the CIP protected $7.4 million of pre-tax margin that would have been lost due to lower customer usage.  Of this amount, $0.7 million was related to weather variations and $6.7 million was related to other customer usage variations.

Gross Margin — Nonutility —  Gross margin for the nonutility businesses is defined as revenue less all costs that are directly related to the production, selling and delivery of the company’s products and services. These costs primarily include natural gas and electric commodity costs as well as certain payroll and related benefits. On the statements of condensed consolidated income, revenue is reflected in Operating Revenues - Nonutility and the costs are reflected in Cost of Sales - Nonutility. As discussed in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2010, revenues and expenses related to the energy trading activities of SJRG are presented on a net basis in Operating Revenues - Nonutility.

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, combined gross margins for the nonutility businesses, net of intercompany transactions, increased $5.8 million to $24.0 million compared with the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily due to the following:

 
·
Gross margin for SJRG decreased $10.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period of 2010. Excluding the impact of the net change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts as discussed above, gross margin for SJRG decreased $20.0 million due mainly to tighter spreads attained on our storage and transportation assets. These tighter spreads were partially offset by margins derived from increased marketing of Marcellus production gas. Storage assets allow SJRG to lock in the differential between purchasing natural gas at low current prices and selling equivalent quantities at higher future prices. Gross margin is generated via seasonal pricing differentials. While this margin will be attained over the transaction cycle, the timing of physical injections and withdraws and related hedge settlements can cause earnings fluctuations for accounting purposes due to the volatile nature of wholesale gas prices. Overall, SJRG’s contribution to margin from storage and transportation assets has decreased due to market conditions and we have begun to shed some of these assets. However, we expect to continue to add substantial margin from marketing and related opportunities in the Marcellus region, capitalizing on our established presence in the area. Future margins could fluctuate significantly due to the volatile nature of wholesale gas prices.

Storage and transportation assets under contract as of March 31 are as follows:

 
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Storage (Bcf)
    12.5       12.2  
                 
Transportation (dts/day)
    83,115       153,000  
                 

 
·
Gross Margin for Marina increased $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period of 2010. Gross margin as a percentage of Operating Revenues did not change significantly in 2011 compared with 2010.

 
·
Gross margin from SJE’s retail gas sales was essentially unchanged for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in 2010. Gross margin as a percentage of Operating Revenues did not change significantly in 2011 compared with 2010.
 
 
31

 
 
·
Gross margin from SJE’s retail electricity sales increased $16.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period of 2010. Excluding the impact of a $16.9 million change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts, gross margin decreased $0.8 million in 2011 compared with 2010.  Excluding the impact of the unrealized losses, gross margin as a percentage of Operating Revenues decreased 2.6 percentage points in 2011 compared with 2010. This decrease is mainly due to the usage of the large number of schools that are part of a bid won in April 2009. This is a fixed-price full requirements contract. At the time we entered into this contract, we purchased a fixed price supply contract based on historical usage information contained in the bid. During the first quarter of 2010, the schools used significantly more electricity than forecast and we were able to purchase those incremental volumes at market prices that were considerably less than the original purchase price allowing us to recognize incremental margin. In the first quarter of 2011, the schools consumption was only slightly higher than forecast and we purchased those incremental volumes at market prices that were much closer to the original purchase price.

 
·
Gross margin for SJESP decreased $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in 2010 due mainly to the lower customer warranty contract sales as mentioned in Operating Revenues – Nonutility.  Gross margin as a percentage of Operating Revenues decreased 2.3 percentage points in 2011 compared with 2010 due to higher labor and benefit costs.

Operations Expense — A summary of net changes in operations expense follows (in thousands):

 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31,
2011 vs. 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utility
 
$
466
 
Nonutility:
 
 
 
 
Wholesale Energy
 
 
278
 
Retail Gas and Other
 
 
(26
)
Retail Electricity
 
 
432
 
On-Site Energy Production
 
 
188
 
Appliance Service
 
 
651
 
Total Nonutility
 
 
1,523
 
Intercompany Eliminations and Other
 
 
225
 
Total Operations
 
$
2,214
 

Utility operations expense increased $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared with the same period in 2010.  This increase is due primarily to increased spending under the New Jersey Clean Energy Program and Energy Efficiency Programs, which experienced a net increase of $0.5 million for the first quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.  Such costs are recovered on a dollar-for-dollar basis; therefore, SJG experienced an offsetting increase in revenues during the period.

Nonutility operations expense increased $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared with the same period in 2010. The increase is primarily due to additional personnel, governance and compliance costs incurred to support continued growth.

Other changes in operations expense during the three months ended March 31, 2011 were not significant.

Other Operating Expenses — Changes in other consolidated operating expenses which consist of Maintenance, Depreciation, and Energy and Other Taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared with the same period in 2010, were not significant.

 
Other Income and Expense - Other income and expense increased $5.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared with the same period in 2010, primarily due to a) interest income charged on notes receivable from affiliates which increased from $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 to $2.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and b) proceeds received from a provider of homeowner assistance services, in accordance with an agreement with the Company, that gives them the exclusive right to renew the home appliance repair contracts at SJESP.

Interest Charges – Interest charges increased by $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared with the same period in 2010, primarily due to  higher short-term borrowing levels and interest rates at our non-utility businesses, primarily in support of increased project development activity, and higher levels of long-term fixed rate debt at our utility in support of increased levels of infrastructure investment.

Income TaxesIncome tax expense increased by $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase is primarily the result of a $19.0 million increase in Income before Income Taxes offset by a decrease in the effective tax rate from 41.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2010 to 30.3% in the three months ended March 31, 2011 due to projected investment tax credits of $13.1 million available on renewable energy facilities at Marina.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliated CompaniesEquity in earnings of affiliated companies increased by $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010. This increase in equity in earnings of affiliated companies is primarily due to a decrease in unrealized losses on interest rate swaps at LVE Energy Partners, LLC (LVE) that were recognized in the first quarter of 2010.

Discontinued Operations — The losses are primarily comprised of environmental remediation and product liability litigation associated with previously disposed of businesses.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:

Liquidity needs 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 BGSS charge; working capital needs of our energy trading and marketing activities; the timing of construction and remediation expenditures and related permanent financings; the timing of equity contributions to unconsolidated affiliates; mandated tax payment dates; both discretionary and required repayments of long-term debt; and the amounts and timing of dividend payments.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities — Liquidity needs are first met with net cash provided by operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $126.0 million and $117.8 million in the first three months of 2011 and 2010, 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, customer usage factors related to conservation efforts and the price of the natural gas commodity, inventory utilization, and gas cost recoveries.  Operating activities in the first three months of 2011 produced more net cash than the same period in 2010, primarily due to higher cash collections of customer accounts receivable balances despite a $21.1 million bill credit given to utility customers in late March 2011. This cash source was also partially offset by a reduction in accounts payable balances that resulted from high gas purchases made in December 2010 being paid for in the first quarter of 2011.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities — SJI has a continuing need for cash resources and capital, primarily to invest in new and replacement facilities and equipment. Net cash outflows for capital expenditures, which are primarily construction projects, for the first three months of 2011 and 2010 amounted to $32.1 million and $38.6 million, respectively. We estimate the net cash outflows for SJI for construction projects for fiscal years 2011, 2012 and 2013 at SJI and its unconsolidated affiliates to be approximately $134.6 million, $120.3 million and $68.0 million, respectively.  For capital expenditures, including those under SJG’s CIRT, the Company will use short-term borrowings under lines of credit from commercial banks to finance capital expenditures as incurred. From time to time, the Company will refinance the short-term debt incurred to support capital expenditures with long-term debt.
 
 
33

 
In support of its risk management activities, the Company is required to maintain margin accounts with selected counterparties as collateral for its forward contracts, swap agreements, options contracts and futures contracts. These margin accounts are included in Restricted Investments or Margin Account Liability, depending upon the value of the related contracts (the change in the Margin Account Liability is reflected in cash flows from Operating Activities) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The required amount of restricted investments changes on a daily basis due to fluctuations in the market value of the related outstanding contracts and are difficult to predict. Margin posted by the Company decreased by $1.7 million in the first three months of 2011, compared with an increase of $24.0 million in the same period of 2010.

During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company made investments in, and provided net advances to unconsolidated affiliates of $12.5 million and $6.1 million, respectively. The purpose of these investments and advances was to cover certain project related costs of LVE Energy Partners, LLC (See Commitments and Contingencies), to provide working capital for a retail marketing operation, and to develop several landfill gas-fired electric production facilities and solar projects.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities — Short-term borrowings under lines of credit from commercial banks are used to supplement cash flows from operations, to support working capital needs and to finance capital expenditures as incurred. From time to time, short-term debt incurred to finance capital expenditures is refinanced with long-term debt.

Credit facilities and available liquidity as of March 31, 2011 were as follows (in thousands):
 
Company
 
Total
Facility
 
 
Usage
 
 
Available Liquidity
 
Expiration Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SJG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility
 
$
100,000
 
 
$
14,550
 
 
$
85,450
 
August 2011(A)
Line of Credit
 
 
40,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
40,000
 
August 2011(A)
Uncommitted Bank Lines
 
 
40,000
 
 
 
5,700
 
 
 
34,300
 
Various
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total SJG
 
 
180,000
 
 
 
20,250
 
 
 
159,750
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SJI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility
 
$
200,000
 
 
$
190,075
 
 
$
9,925
 
August 2011 (A) (B)
Term Line of Credit
   
30,437
     
30,437
     
 
October 2011
Uncommitted Bank Lines
 
 
80,000
 
 
 
14,600
 
 
 
65,400
 
Various
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total SJI
 
 
310,437
 
 
 
235,112
 
 
 
75,325
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
490,437
 
 
$
255,362
 
 
$
235,075
 
 

 
(A)
See Note 15 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
(B)
Includes letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $102.9 million.
          
The SJG facilities are restricted as to use and availability specifically to SJG; however, if necessary the SJI facilities can also be used to support SJG’s liquidity needs. All committed facilities contain one financial covenant regarding the ratio of total debt to total capitalization, measured on a quarterly basis. SJI and SJG were in compliance with this covenant as of March 31, 2011. Borrowings under these credit facilities are at market rates. The weighted average borrowing cost, which changes daily, was 0.98% and 0.77% at March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Based upon the existing credit facilities and a regular dialogue with our banks, we believe there will continue to be sufficient credit available to meet our business’ future liquidity needs.

 
34

 
SJI 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 and Medium Term Notes (MTN), secured by the same pool of utility assets, to finance its long-term borrowing needs. These needs are primarily capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment.  In March 2010, SJG issued $15.0 million aggregate principal amount of its MTNs under private placements.  No other long-term debt was issued during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

 SJI’s capital structure was as follows:
 
 
 
As of
March 31, 2011
 
 
As of
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
 
 
50.3
%
 
 
44.8
%
Long-Term Debt
 
 
37.1
 
 
 
35.5
 
Short-Term Debt
 
 
12.6
 
 
 
19.7
 
Total
 
 
100.0
%
 
 
100.0
%

SJI has paid dividends on its common stock for 59 consecutive years and has increased that dividend each year for the last ten years.  The Company currently looks to grow that dividend by at least 6% to 7% per year and has a targeted payout ratio of between 50% and 60%.  In setting the dividend rate, the Board of Directors of SJI considers future earnings expectations, payout ratio, and dividend yield relative to those at peer companies, as well as returns available on other income-oriented investments.  However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to increase the dividend, meet the targeted payout ratio or pay a dividend at all in the future.

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company received $19.9 million of repayments from ACB Energy Partners, LLC (ACB) to Marina on a construction loan provided by Marina as discussed in Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

SJI has a continuing need for cash resources and capital, primarily to invest in new and replacement facilities and equipment, and for environmental remediation costs. Cash outflows for capital expenditures for the first three months of 2011 and 2010 amounted to $32.1 million and $38.6 million, respectively. Management estimates the net cash outflows for SJI for construction projects for 2011, 2012 and 2013 at SJI and its unconsolidated affiliates to be approximately $134.6 million, $120.3 million and $68.0 million, respectively. Costs for remediation projects, net of insurance reimbursements, for the first three months of 2011 and 2010 amounted to net cash outflows of $3.3 million and net cash inflows of $0.2 million, respectively. Total cash outflows for remediation projects are expected to be $19.6 million, $12.2 million and $9.6 million for 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.  As discussed in Notes 10 and 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s 10-K as of December 31, 2010, certain environmental costs are subject to recovery from insurance carriers and ratepayers.

SJI provided $102.9 million of standby letters of credit through SJI’s revolving credit facility. Letters of credit in the amount of $62.3 million support variable-rate demand bonds issued through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to finance Marina’s initial thermal plant project and $40.6 million were posted to enable SJE to market retail electricity and for various construction activities. The Company also provided an additional $25.2 million letter of credit under a separate facility outside of the revolving credit facility to support variable-rate demand bonds issued through the NJEDA to finance the expansion of SJG’s natural gas distribution system.  This letter of credit expires in August 2011.

There were no significant changes to the Company’s contractual obligations described in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2010, except for commodity supply purchase obligations which decreased by approximately $66.3 million in total since December 31, 2010, due to payments made during the first quarter of 2011 on commitments at SJE and SJRG.
 
 
35

 
Off-Balance Sheet ArrangementsAn off-balance sheet arrangement is any contractual arrangement involving an unconsolidated entity under which the company has either made guarantees, or has certain other interests or obligations.

The Company has recorded a liability of $1.9 million which is included in Other Noncurrent Liabilities with a corresponding increase in Investment in Affiliates on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2011 for the fair value of the following guarantees:

 
·
In April 2007, SJI guaranteed certain obligations of LVE Energy Partners, LLC (LVE) an unconsolidated joint venture in which Marina has a 50% equity interest.  LVE entered into a 25-year contract with a resort developer to design, build, own and operate a district energy system and central energy center for a planned resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.  LVE began construction of the facility in 2007 and expected to provide full energy service in 2010 when the resort was originally scheduled to be completed.  LVE suspended construction of the district energy system and central energy center in January 2009 after the resort developer’s August 2008 announcement that it was delaying the completion of construction of the resort due to the difficult environment in the capital markets and weak economic conditions.  The resort developer had indicated that it was considering different strategies to move its project forward, including opening its project in phases and obtaining a partner, but that it was unlikely construction would resume during 2009.  In March 2011, the resort developer, repeating previous disclosures, indicated again that they do not expect to resume construction on the project for three to five years.  They stated that they remain committed to having a significant presence on the Las Vegas Strip as part of a long-term growth strategy and continue to view this site as a major strategic asset.

The district energy system and central energy center are being financed by LVE with debt that is non-recourse to SJI. The outstanding balance of LVE’s bank debt is approximately $220.5 million as of March 31, 2011.  In September 2009, LVE reached an agreement with the banks that are financing the energy facilities to address defaults under the financing agreements. These LVE defaults were caused by the resort developer’s construction delay and the termination of an energy services agreement by a hotel operator associated with the project. As a result of these defaults, the banks had previously stopped funding the project. The terms of the September 2009 agreement required SJI and its partner in this joint venture to guarantee the payment of future interest costs by LVE through, at the latest, December 2010. In addition, SJI and its partner in this joint venture each committed to provide approximately $8.9 million of additional capital as of September 2009 to cover costs related to the termination of the energy services agreement by a hotel operator and interest costs incurred since August 2008 when the resort developer suspended construction. Of this amount, $6.7 million was in the form of an irrevocable letter of credit from a bank and the remaining $2.2 million was provided in cash in 2009. In turn, the banks waived all existing defaults under the financing agreements and were relieved of their commitment to provide additional funding. The $6.7 million discussed above, along with the $30.4 million of capital that Marina originally agreed to contribute as part of its construction period financing, was contributed in December 2010. As a result of the construction delay, the district energy system and central energy center were not completed by the end of 2010 as originally expected. Consequently, the full amount of LVE’s debt became due and payable in December 2010. LVE intends to seek additional financing to complete the facility once construction of the resort resumes, however, as of December 31, 2010, LVE was in default under the financing agreements with the banks.  The Energy Sales Agreement between LVE and the resort developer includes a payment obligation by the resort developer to pay certain fees and expenses to LVE. A portion of this payment obligation is guaranteed to LVE’s lenders by the parent of the resort developer.

 
36



In March 2011, LVE reached agreements with (a) the resort developer, that specified the payments to be made by the developer to LVE during the suspension period and provided the developer and its corporate parent with an option to purchase the assets of LVE, and (b) the banks that are financing the energy facilities to address the existing default under the financing agreements. The terms of the March 2011 agreement requires the resort developer to pay certain fees and expenses to LVE on a monthly basis beginning in March 2011 until construction of the resort resumes or until the resort developer has exercised its option to purchase the energy facilities from LVE. The monthly payments to be paid to LVE by the resort developer are expected to be in amounts sufficient to reimburse LVE for costs to maintain the energy facilities and to cover debt service costs. The resort developer has provided LVE with a $6.0 million letter of credit to support its monthly payment obligation.

The banks that are financing the energy facilities have agreed not to exercise their rights under the financing agreements resulting from the event of default discussed above through December 2013, provided that no additional events of default occur. SJI and its joint venture partner have provided a total of $10.0 million in letters of credit to the banks to support LVE’s obligations, which can be drawn upon by the banks at the end of the existing agreement in December 2013 or upon the occurrence of an event of default by LVE prior to December 2013.

As of March 31, 2011, the Company had a net liability of approximately $1.6 million included in Other Noncurrent Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to this project, in addition to unsecured Notes Receivable – Affiliate of approximately $55.7 million due from LVE. As of March 31, 2011, SJI’s capital at risk is limited to its equity contributions, letters of credit and the unsecured notes receivable totaling approximately $70.9 million. During 2011, SJI provided support to LVE of approximately $4.3 million to cover interest and other project related costs.

As a result of the construction delay, management has evaluated the investment in LVE and concluded that the fair value of this investment continues to be in excess of the carrying value as of March 31, 2011.

In 2007, SJI issued a performance guaranty for up to $180.0 million to the resort developer to ensure that certain construction milestones relating to the development of the thermal facility are met. As a result of the resort developer not achieving certain milestones, SJI is no longer obligated under this guaranty. SJI has also guaranteed certain performance obligations of LVE under the operating agreements between LVE and the resort developer, up to $20.0 million each year for the term of the agreement, commencing with the first year of operations.  SJI and its partner in this joint venture have entered into reimbursement agreements that secure reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI on these guarantees.

 
·
SJI has guaranteed certain obligations of BC Landfill Energy, LLC (BCLE) and WC Landfill Energy, LLC (WCLE), unconsolidated joint ventures in which Marina has a 50% equity interest through Energenic. BCLE and WCLE have entered into agreements ranging from 15-20 years with the respective county governments to lease and operate facilities that will produce electricity from landfill methane gas.  Although unlikely, the maximum amount that SJI could be obligated for, in the event that BCLE and WCLE do not meet minimum specified levels of operating performance and no mitigating action is taken, or are unable to meet certain financial obligations as they become due, is approximately $4.2 million each year.  SJI and its partner in these joint ventures have entered into reimbursement agreements that secure reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI on these guarantees.  SJI holds variable interests in BCLE and WCLE but is not the primary beneficiary.

 
37


 
·
SJI has guaranteed the long-term debt obligations of AC Landfill Energy, LLC (ACLE), which has entered into a long-term agreement with a county government to lease and operate a facility that will produce electricity from landfill methane gas. Although unlikely, the maximum amount that SJI could be obligated for, in the event that ACLE is unable to meet certain financial obligations as they become due, is approximately $1.5 million.  SJI and its partner in this joint venture have entered into a reimbursement agreement that secures reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI on this guarantee.  SJI holds a variable interest in ACLE but is not the primary beneficiary.

 
·
As of March 31, 2011, SJI had issued $4.4 million of parental guarantees on behalf of an unconsolidated subsidiary. These guarantees generally expire within the next two years and were issued to enable our subsidiary to market retail natural gas.

Capital Contribution Obligation - In February 2011, ACR Energy Partners, LLC (ACR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energenic, of which Marina has a 50% equity interest, entered into a 20 year contract with a developer to build, own and operate a central energy center and energy distribution system for a planned hotel, casino and entertainment complex in Atlantic City, New Jersey. ACR expects to provide construction energy to the complex in 2011 and provide full energy services when the complex is completed in 2012. Marina and its joint venture partner will make capital contributions to ACR that will enable ACR to a) repay $42.0 million of construction advances made by the developer and b) deposit $2.8 million in a debt service reserve fund, provided, in each case, that the developer has met certain conditions. These conditions include, among others, substantial completion of the complex and demonstration of adequate financial resources to operate the complex. Marina and its joint venture partner have also agreed to provide a $5.0 million letter of credit in 2012 to support certain operating performance obligations of ACR under the operating agreements between ACR and the developer, provided the developers has met the conditions just outlined. SJI and its partner in this joint venture have entered into reimbursement agreements that secure reimbursement for SJI of a proportionate share of any payments made by SJI to or on behalf of ACR.

Pending Litigation — SJI is subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of business and other legal proceedings. We accrue liabilities related to claims when we can reasonably estimate the amount or range of amounts of probable settlement costs or other charges for these claims. SJI has been named in, among other actions, certain product liability claims related to our former sand mining subsidiary. Management does not currently anticipate the disposition of any known claims to have a material adverse effect on SJI’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Commodity Market Risks — Certain regulated and non-regulated SJI subsidiaries are involved in buying, selling, transporting and storing natural gas and buying and selling retail electricity for their own accounts as well as managing these activities for other third parties. These subsidiaries are subject to market risk due to price fluctuations. To hedge against this risk, we enter into a variety of physical and financial transactions including forward contracts, swaps, futures and options agreements. To manage these transactions, SJI has a well-defined risk management policy approved by our Board of Directors that includes volumetric and monetary limits. Management reviews reports detailing activity daily. Generally, the derivative activities described above are entered into for risk management purposes.

SJG and SJE transact commodities on a physical basis and typically do not enter into financial derivative positions directly. SJRG manages risk in the natural gas markets for these entities as well as for its own portfolio by entering into the types of transactions noted above. As part of its gas purchasing strategy, SJG uses financial contracts through SJRG to hedge against forward price risk. These contracts are recoverable through SJG’s BGSS, subject to BPU approval. It is management’s policy, to the extent practical, within predetermined risk management policy guidelines, to have limited unmatched positions on a deal or portfolio basis while conducting these activities. As a result of holding open positions to a minimal level, the economic impact of changes in value of a particular transaction is substantially offset by an opposite change in the related hedge transaction.

 
38


SJI has entered into certain contracts to buy, sell, and transport natural gas and to buy and sell retail electricity. For those derivatives not designated as hedges, we recorded the net unrealized pre-tax gain of $4.5 million and a pre-tax loss of $22.1 million in earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which are included with realized gains and losses in Operating Revenues — Nonutility.    The fair value and maturity of these energy-related contracts determined under the mark-to-market method as of March 31, 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Source of Fair Value
 
Maturity
 < 1 Year
 
 
Maturity
 1 -3 Years
 
 
Maturity
Beyond 3 Years
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prices actively quoted
 
$
11,575
 
 
$
2,182
 
 
$
 
 
$
13,757
 
Prices provided by other external sources
 
 
13,826
 
 
 
3,348
 
 
 
 
 
 
17,174
 
Prices based on internal models or other valuation methods
 
 
2,281
 
 
 
1,214
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,495
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
27,682
 
 
$
6,744
 
 
$
 
 
$
34,426
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Source of Fair Value
 
Maturity
 < 1 Year
 
 
Maturity
1 -3 Years
 
 
Maturity
Beyond 3 Years
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prices actively quoted
 
$
9,173
 
 
$
1,152
 
 
$
 
 
$
10,325
 
Prices provided by other external sources
 
 
9,804
 
 
 
1,411
 
 
 
 
 
 
11,215
 
Prices based on internal models or other valuation methods
 
 
3,035
 
 
 
1,076
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,111
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
22,012
 
 
$
3,639
 
 
$
 
 
$
25,651
 

NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) is the primary national commodities exchange on which natural gas is traded. Basis represents the price of a NYMEX natural gas futures contract adjusted for the difference in price for delivering the gas at another location. Contracted volumes of our NYMEX contracts are 6.9 million decatherms (dts) with a weighted-average settlement price of $5.22 per dt.  Contracted volumes of our basis contracts are 18.3 million dts with a weighted average settlement price of $0.44 per dt.  Contracted volumes of electric are 1.9 million mwh with a weighted average settlement price of $54.83 per mwh.

A reconciliation of SJI’s estimated net fair value of energy-related derivatives follows (in thousands):

Net Derivatives — Energy Related Assets,  January 1, 2011
 
$
131
 
Contracts Settled During Three Months Ended March 31, 2011, Net
 
 
7,770
 
Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net
 
 
874
 
 
 
 
   
Net Derivatives — Energy Related Assets  March 31, 2011
 
$
8,775
 

 
39

 
Interest Rate Risk — Our exposure to interest-rate risk relates primarily to short-term, variable-rate borrowings. Short-term, variable-rate debt outstanding at March 31, 2011 was $152.5 million and averaged $213.9 million during the first three months of 2011. A hypothetical 100 basis point (1%) increase in interest rates on our average variable-rate debt outstanding would result in a $1.3 million increase in our annual interest expense, net of tax. The 100 basis point increase was chosen 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: 2010 – 13 b.p. increase; 2009 – 29 b.p. decrease; 2008 – 397 b.p. decrease; 2007 – 45 b.p. decrease; and 2006 – 67 b.p. increase.  For March 2011, our average interest rate on variable-rate debt was 1.0%.
 
We issue long-term debt either at fixed rates or use interest rate derivatives to limit our exposure to changes in interest rates on variable-rate, long-term debt. As of March 31, 2011, the interest costs on all but $7.1 million of our long-term debt was either at a fixed-rate or hedged via an interest rate derivative. Consequently, interest expense on existing long-term debt is not significantly impacted by changes in market interest rates.

As of March 31, 2011, SJI’s active interest rate swaps were as follows:

Amount
 
Fixed
Interest Rate
 
Start Date
 
Maturity
 
Type
 
Obligor
$
3,900,000
 
4.795
%
12/01/2004
 
12/01/2014
 
Taxable
 
Marina
$
8,000,000
 
4.775
%
11/12/2004
 
11/12/2014
 
Taxable
 
Marina
$
20,000,000
 
4.080
%
11/19/2001
 
12/01/2011
 
Tax-exempt
 
Marina
$
14,500,000
 
3.905
%
03/17/2006
 
01/15/2026
 
Tax-exempt
 
Marina
$
500,000
 
3.905
%
03/17/2006
 
01/15/2026
 
Tax-exempt
 
Marina
$
330,000
 
3.905
%
03/17/2006
 
01/15/2026
 
Tax-exempt
 
Marina
$
7,100,000
 
4.895
%
02/01/2006
 
02/01/2016
 
Taxable
 
Marina
$
12,500,000
 
3.430
%
12/01/2006
 
02/01/2036
 
Tax-exempt
 
SJG
$
12,500,000
 
3.430
%
12/01/2006
 
02/01/2036
 
Tax-exempt
 
SJG

Credit Risk - As of March 31, 2011, approximately $11.3 million, or 32.9%, of the current and noncurrent Derivatives – Energy Related Assets are with a single retail counterparty. This counterparty has contracts with a large number of diverse customers which minimizes the concentration of this risk. A portion of these contracts may be assignable to SJI in the event of a default by the counterparty.

As of March 31, 2011, SJRG had $82.0 million of Accounts Receivable under sales contracts. Of that total, 86% were with regulated utilities or companies rated investment-grade or guaranteed by an investment-grade-rated parent or were with companies where we have a collateral arrangement or insurance coverage. The remainder of the Accounts Receivable were within approved credit limits.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2011. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures employed at the Company are effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has not been any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
40

 
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item l. Legal Proceedings

Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to Part I, Item 2, Pending Litigation, beginning on page 38.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table presents information about purchases by SJI of its own common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2011:
 
Period
 
Total
Number of Shares Purchased1
 
 
Average
Price Paid Per
Share1
 
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs2
 
 
Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs2
 
January             2011
 
 
4,913
 
 
$
52.484
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
February           2011
 
 
2,385
 
 
$
54.490
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March               2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
7,298
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1  The total number of shares purchased and the average price paid per share represent shares purchased in open market transactions under the South Jersey Industries Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the DRP) by the administrator of the DRP.

2  On September 22, 2008, SJI publicly announced a share repurchase program under which the Company can purchase up to 5% of its currently outstanding common stock over the next four years.  As of March 31, 2011, no shares have been purchased under this program.
 
 
41

 
Item 6. Exhibits
(a)  Exhibits

Exhibit
No.
Description
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).
   
101
The following financial statements from South Jersey Industries’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2011, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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 INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Dated: May 9, 2011
By:
/s/ Edward J. Graham
 
 
Edward J. Graham
 
 
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
Dated: May 9, 2011
By:
/s/ David A. Kindlick
 
 
David A. Kindlick
 
 
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
 
 
42