DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2005	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (losses) included in its BGSS related to open financial contracts		$ 700,000	$ (1,900,000)
Initial cost of Treasury Locks	1,400,000
Amortization period of Treasury Locks	30 years
Unamortized balance of Treasury Locks		1,000,000	1,100,000
South Jersey Gas Company [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, $12,500,000 Contract 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		12,500,000,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate		3.43%
South Jersey Gas Company [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, $12,500,000 Contract 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 12,500,000,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate		3.43%
Natural Gas (in MMdts) [Member] | Derivative Transaction Type, Purchase [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Outstanding derivative contracts notional amount		6.6