COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Cash Commitments

NJNG has entered into long-term contracts, expiring at various dates through October 2033, for the supply, storage and transportation of natural gas. These contracts include fixed charges of approximately $20 million at current contract rates and volumes for the remainder of the fiscal year, 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 10 years. Demand charges are established by interstate storage and pipeline operators and are regulated by FERC. These demand charges represent commitments to pay storage providers or pipeline companies for the right to store and/or transport natural gas utilizing their respective assets.

Commitments as of June 30, 2017, for natural gas purchases and future demand fees for the next five fiscal year periods are as follows:



(Thousands)	2017		2018		2019		2020		2021		Thereafter
NJRES:
Natural gas purchases	$	109,344	$	146,646	$	73,281	$	1,298	$	—	$	—
Storage demand fees	10,276		32,262		21,967		12,913		8,822		8,579
Pipeline demand fees	19,181		48,549		20,908		11,834		11,303		19,646
Sub-total NJRES	$	138,801	$	227,457	$	116,156	$	26,045	$	20,125	$	28,225
NJNG:
Natural gas purchases	$	18,607	$	9,972	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Storage demand fees	7,499		30,042		26,628		15,332		8,231		11,705
Pipeline demand fees	12,730		69,553		107,144		101,252		91,190		735,409
Sub-total NJNG ⁽¹⁾	$	38,836	$	109,567	$	133,772	$	116,584	$	99,421	$	747,114
Total	$	177,637	$	337,024	$	249,928	$	142,629	$	119,546	$	775,339


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

Legal Proceedings

Manufactured Gas Plant Remediation

NJNG is responsible for the remedial cleanup of five MGP sites, dating back to gas operations in the late 1800s and early 1900s, which contain contaminated residues from former gas manufacturing operations. NJNG is currently involved in administrative proceedings with the NJDEP, and 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 recover its remediation expenditures, including carrying costs, over rolling seven-year periods pursuant to a RA approved by the BPU. In June 2016, the BPU approved NJNG’s December 2015 filing, which requested approval of its MGP expenditures incurred through June 30, 2015, with recovery of $9.4 million annually related to the SBC RA factor with rates effective July 9, 2016. As of June 30, 2017, $23.1 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.

NJNG periodically, and at least annually, performs 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 most recent 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 $143.9 million to $231.6 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. Where it is probable that costs will be incurred, and the information is sufficient to establish a range of possible liability, NJNG accrues the most likely 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 recorded an MGP remediation liability and a corresponding regulatory asset on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets of $172 million as of September 30, 2016, based on the most likely amount at year end and $161 million as of June 30, 2017, which includes adjustments for actual expenditures during fiscal 2017. 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.

General

In February 2015, a natural gas fire and explosion occurred in Stafford Township, New Jersey as a result of a natural gas leak emanating from an underground pipe. There were no fatalities, although several employees of NJNG were injured and several homes were damaged. NJNG notified its insurance carrier and believes that any costs associated with the incident, including attorneys’ fees, property damage and other losses, will be substantially covered by insurance. The Company believes the resolution of any potential claims associated with the incident will not have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. As of June 30, 2017, NJNG estimates that liabilities associated with claims will range between $600,000 and $3.2 million and has accrued the lower end of the range, as we do not believe there is an amount within the range that is more probable than any other.

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.