COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Cash Commitments

NJNG has entered into long-term contracts, expiring at various dates through November 2024, for the supply, storage and delivery of natural gas. These contracts include current annual fixed charges of approximately $96 million at current contract rates and volumes, which are recoverable through BGSS.

For the purpose of securing storage and pipeline capacity, NJRES enters into storage and pipeline capacity contracts, which require the payment of certain demand charges by NJRES to maintain the ability to access such natural gas storage or pipeline capacity, during a fixed time period, which generally ranges from one to five years. Demand charges are based on established rates as regulated by the FERC. These demand charges represent commitments to pay storage providers or pipeline companies for the right to store and transport natural gas utilizing their respective assets.

Commitments as of March 31, 2012, for natural gas purchases and future demand fees for the next five fiscal year periods are as follows:



(Thousands)	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		Thereafter
NJRES:
Natural gas purchases	$	264,023	$	181,858	$	6,555	$	—	$	—	$	—
Storage demand fees	21,136		31,625		18,838		12,286		7,236		12,353
Pipeline demand fees	32,704		41,830		22,169		10,891		9,077		17,427
Sub-total NJRES	$	317,863	$	255,313	$	47,562	$	23,177	$	16,313	$	29,780
NJNG:
Natural gas purchases	$	19,877	$	1,096	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Storage demand fees	15,666		30,070		25,123		15,888		11,088		33,245
Pipeline demand fees	27,164		76,776		73,150		35,213		31,578		201,838
Sub-total NJNG	$	62,707	$	107,942	$	98,273	$	51,101	$	42,666	$	235,083
Total⁽¹⁾	$	380,570	$	363,255	$	145,835	$	74,278	$	58,979	$	264,863


(1)	Does not include amounts related to intercompany asset management agreements between NJRES and NJNG.

NJNG's capital expenditures are estimated at $121.2 million and $70 million in fiscal 2012 and 2013, respectively, and consist primarily of its construction program to support customer growth, maintenance of its distribution system and replacement needed under pipeline safety regulations. Approximately $49.1 million has been committed or spent on capital expenditures, including accruals, during the six months ended March 31, 2012. The expected expenditures in fiscal 2012 include an estimate of $49.9 million related to AIP II. NJNG has committed or spent $14.9 million related to AIP II programs during the six months ended March 31, 2012.

The Company has entered into various agreements to install solar equipment involving both residential and commercial projects. Total solar-related capital expenditures during the six months ended March 31, 2012 were $61.8 million. The Company currently estimates solar-related capital expenditures of $82.6 million during fiscal 2012, of which $79.8 million has been committed or spent. Solar-related capital expenditures in fiscal 2013 are estimated to be $90 million. These investments are subject to a variety of factors, such as the identification of appropriate projects, the timing of construction schedules, the permitting and regulatory process and delays related to electric grid interconnection, which may affect our ability to commence operations at these projects on a timely basis or, at all.

Legal Proceedings

Manufactured Gas Plant Remediation

NJNG is responsible for the remedial cleanup of five manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites, dating back to gas operations in the late 1800s and early 1900s that contain contaminated residues from former gas manufacturing operations. NJNG is currently involved in administrative proceedings with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), as well as participating in various studies and investigations by outside consultants to determine the nature and extent of any such contaminated residues and to develop appropriate programs of remedial action, where warranted, under Administrative Consent Orders or Memoranda of Agreement with the NJDEP.

NJNG may, subject to BPU approval, recover its remediation expenditures, including carrying costs, over rolling seven-year periods pursuant to a RA approved by the BPU. On January 18, 2012, the BPU approved the recovery of the remediation expenditures incurred through September 30, 2009, which maintained the expected annual recovery at approximately $20 million. As of March 31, 2012, $61.3 million of previously incurred remediation costs, net of recoveries from customers and insurance proceeds, are included in regulatory assets on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In September 2011, NJNG updated an environmental review of the MGP sites, including a review of potential liability for investigation and remedial action. NJNG estimated at the time of the review that total future expenditures to remediate and monitor the five MGP sites for which it is responsible, including potential liabilities for Natural Resource Damages that might be brought by the NJDEP for alleged injury to groundwater or other natural resources concerning these sites, will range from approximately $161.5 million to $278.5 million. NJNG's estimate of these liabilities is based upon known facts, existing technology and enacted laws and regulations in place when the review was completed. However, NJNG expects actual costs to differ from these estimates. Where it is probable that costs will be incurred, and the information is sufficient to establish a range of possible liability, NJNG accrues the best estimated amount in the range. If no point within the range is more likely than the other, it is NJNG's policy to accrue the lower end of the range. Accordingly, NJNG has recorded an MGP remediation liability and a corresponding regulatory asset of $182.9 million on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, based on the best estimate. The actual costs to be incurred by NJNG are dependent upon several factors, including final determination of remedial action, changing technologies and governmental regulations, the ultimate ability of other responsible parties to pay and any insurance recoveries.

NJNG will continue to seek recovery of MGP-related costs through the RA. If any future regulatory position indicates that the recovery of such costs is not probable, the related non-recoverable costs would be charged to income in the period of such determination. However, because recovery of such costs is subject to BPU approval, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate recovery through the RA or the impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or cash flows, which could be material.

General

The Company is party to various other claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business. In the Company's opinion, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.