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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

GENERAL - South Jersey Industries, Inc. (SJI or the Company) currently provides a variety of energy related products and services primarily through the following subsidiaries:

South Jersey Gas Company (SJG) is a regulated natural gas utility. SJG distributes natural gas in the seven southernmost counties of New Jersey.

South Jersey Energy Company (SJE) acquires and markets natural gas and electricity to retail end users and provides total energy management services to commercial and industrial customers.

South Jersey Resources Group, LLC (SJRG) markets natural gas storage, commodity and transportation assets on a wholesale basis in the mid-Atlantic, Appalachian and southern states.

South Jersey Exploration, LLC (SJEX) owns oil, gas and mineral rights in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania.

Marina Energy, LLC (Marina) develops and operates on-site energy-related projects.

South Jersey Energy Service Plus, LLC (SJESP) services residential and small commercial HVAC systems, installs small commercial HVAC systems, provides plumbing services and services appliances under warranty via a subcontractor arrangement as well as on a time and materials basis.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION — The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SJI, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and subsidiaries in which SJI has a controlling interest. SJI eliminates all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. In management’s opinion, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments needed to fairly present SJI’s financial position, operating results and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented. SJI’s businesses are subject to seasonal fluctuations and, accordingly, this interim financial information should not be the basis for estimating the full year’s operating results. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain certain condensed financial information and exclude certain footnote disclosures normally included in annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with SJI’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of the Company’s accounting policies and certain other information.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods regulatory assets disclosure to conform to the current period presentation. The deferred pipeline integrity cost and Allowance for Funds Used During Construction ("AFUDC") - equity related deferrals previously included in "Other Regulatory Assets" were reclassified to the line items "Pipeline Integrity Cost" and "AFUDC - Equity Related Deferrals", respectively, in the regulatory asset table in Note 8.

REVENUE AND THROUGHPUT-BASED TAXES — SJG collects certain revenue-based energy taxes from its customers. Such taxes include New Jersey State Sales Tax and Public Utilities Assessment (PUA). State sales tax is recorded as a liability when billed to customers and is not included in revenue or operating expenses. The PUA is included in both utility revenue and cost of sales and totaled $0.4 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. In prior years, SJG had collected a throughput-based energy tax from customers in the form of a Transitional Energy Facility Assessment (TEFA). The TEFA was eliminated effective January 1, 2014.
 
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS - SJI reviews the carrying amount of long-lived assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such amounts may not be recoverable. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, no impairments were identified.

GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT - The Company capitalizes all costs associated with gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities under the full cost method of accounting. Capitalized costs include costs related to unproved properties, which are not amortized until proved reserves are found or it is determined that the unproved properties are impaired. All costs related to unproved properties are reviewed quarterly to determine if impairment has occurred. No impairment was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013. As of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, $8.9 million related to interests in proved and unproved properties in Pennsylvania, net of amortization, is included with Nonutility Property and Equipment and Other Noncurrent Assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
TREASURY STOCK – SJI uses the par value method of accounting for treasury stock. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, SJI held 129,929 and 148,890 shares of treasury stock, respectively. These shares are related to deferred compensation arrangements where the amounts earned are held in the stock of SJI.

INCOME TAXES — Deferred income taxes are provided for all significant temporary differences between the book and taxable bases of assets and liabilities in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 740 - “Income Taxes”.  A valuation allowance is established when it is determined that it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Investment tax credits related to renewable energy facilities of Marina are recognized on the flow through method, which may result in variations in the customary relationship between income taxes and pre-tax income for interim periods.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS — Other than as described below, no new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during 2014 or 2013 had, or is expected to have, a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-11, Balance Sheet Presentation of an Unrecognized Income Tax Benefit for a Net Operating Loss or Tax Credit Carryforward. This ASU provides that a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit should be offset against a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company's financial statement results.