LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)		1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Feb. 28, 2012 South Jersey Gas Company [Member] Series Due 2027, 7.7 Percent [Member] Medium-term Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 South Jersey Gas Company [Member] Series Due 2027, 7.7 Percent [Member] Medium-term Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 South Jersey Gas Company [Member] Series Due 2027, 7.7 Percent [Member] Medium-term Notes [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 South Jersey Gas Company [Member] Series Due 2032, 3.74 Percent [Member] Medium-term Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Approved borrowing capacity				$ 200,000,000
Remaining balance available under note program			80,000,000
Debt called		35,000,000.0
Stated interest rate	7.50%	7.70%			3.74%
Premium in addition to par for called debt		2.00%
Debt issued					$ 35,000,000.0