LONG-TERM DEBT	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	LONG-TERM DEBT: SJG did not issue or retire any long-term debt during the first three months of 2012. In September 2011, SJG entered into an arrangement to issue Medium-Term Notes (MTN) under a private placement in an aggregate principal amount of $35.0 million. SJG expects to issue this debt in April 2012. In February 2012, SJG called its $35.0 million, 7.70% MTN due April 2027 at par, plus a 2.0% premium. The early redemption will occur concurrently with the issuance of the MTN in April 2012 (See Note 13 - Subsequent Events). In December 2011, SJG received approval from the BPU to issue up to $200.0 million in long-term debt under its MTN program by September 30, 2014. We retire debt when it is cost effective as permitted by the debt agreements. Our long-term debt agreements contain no financial covenants.

LONG-TERM DEBT

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]

LONG-TERM DEBT:

SJG did not issue or retire any long-term debt during the first three months of 2012. In September 2011, SJG entered into an arrangement to issue Medium-Term Notes (MTN) under a private placement in an aggregate principal amount of $35.0 million. SJG expects to issue this debt in April 2012. In February 2012, SJG called its $35.0 million, 7.70% MTN due April 2027 at par, plus a 2.0% premium. The early redemption will occur concurrently with the issuance of the MTN in April 2012 (See Note 13 - Subsequent Events). In December 2011, SJG received approval from the BPU to issue up to $200.0 million in long-term debt under its MTN program by September 30, 2014. We retire debt when it is cost effective as permitted by the debt agreements. Our long-term debt agreements contain no financial covenants.