XML 99 R49.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Number of shares in the aggregate that may be issued under the 1997 Stock-Based Compensation Plan (no more than) 2,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized    
Number of options granted 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
Actual amount of shares that ultimately vest of the original share units granted, minimum 0.00%sji_ActualAmountOfSharesThatUltimatelyVestOfOriginalShareUnitsGrantedMinimum    
Actual amount of shares that ultimately vest of the original share units granted, maximum 150.00%sji_ActualAmountOfSharesThatUltimatelyVestOfOriginalShareUnitsGrantedMaximum    
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 48.79us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue $ 50.73us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue  
Expected volatility, measurement period 3 years    
Net Expense $ 1,746,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 2,764,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 2,761,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Capitalized (147,000)us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount (237,000)us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount (231,000)us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount
Unrecognized compensation cost of awards granted under the plan 2,800,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized    
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation cost is to be recognized (in years) 1 year 8 months 12 days    
Weighted Average Fair Value      
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share) $ 50.73us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue    
Granted (in dollars per share) $ 49.40us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue    
Vested (in dollars per share) $ 53.42us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue [1]    
Cancelled/Forfeited (in dollars per share) $ 49.49us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue    
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 48.79us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue $ 50.73us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue  
Cost [Member]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Net Expense 1,893,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
3,001,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
2,992,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
Jan. 2012 - TSR [Member] | Cost [Member]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Net Expense 1,100,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2012TsrMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
   
Officers and Key Employees [Member]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Number of awards granted 68,263us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
56,464us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
40,955us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
Vesting period of shares 3 years 3 years 3 years
The range of the actual amount of shares that ultimately vest of the original share units granted (in hundredths) 0% to 150%    
Shares outstanding (in shares) 111,938us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
94,192us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
 
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward}      
Nonvested shares outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) 94,192us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Granted (in shares) 68,263us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
56,464us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
40,955us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
Vested (in shares) (36,536)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
[1]    
Cancelled/Forfeited (in shares) (13,981)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 111,938us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
94,192us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
 
Weighted Average Fair Value      
Number of shares awarded during the period 0us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
66,077us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
33,322us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
Market value of shares awarded   3,300,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualFairValueOfSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
1,900,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualFairValueOfSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
Officers and Key Employees [Member] | Cost [Member]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Net Expense 1,260,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
2,236,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
2,096,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
Officers and Key Employees [Member] | Jan. 2013 - TSR [Member]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Shares outstanding (in shares) 24,797us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013TsrMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 44.38us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013TsrMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Expected Volatility 21.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013TsrMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Risk-Free Interest Rate 0.40%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013TsrMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward}      
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 24,797us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013TsrMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Weighted Average Fair Value      
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 44.38us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013TsrMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Officers and Key Employees [Member] | Jan. 2013 - EPS [Member]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Shares outstanding (in shares) 24,797us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013EpsMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 51.18us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013EpsMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward}      
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 24,797us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013EpsMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Weighted Average Fair Value      
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 51.18us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013EpsMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Officers and Key Employees [Member] | Jan. 2014 - TSR [Member]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Shares outstanding (in shares) 31,172us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 42.62us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Expected Volatility 20.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Risk-Free Interest Rate 0.80%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward}      
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 31,172us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Weighted Average Fair Value      
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 42.62us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Officers and Key Employees [Member] | Jan. 2014 - EPS [Member]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Shares outstanding (in shares) 31,172us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014EPSMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 54.44us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014EPSMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward}      
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 31,172us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014EPSMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Weighted Average Fair Value      
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 54.44us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014EPSMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Officers and Key Employees [Member] | Jan. 2012 [Member]      
Weighted Average Fair Value      
Shares expected to be awarded to officers and key employees 0sji_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpectedToBeGrantedInSubsequentYear
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2012Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Directors [Member]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Number of awards granted 11,610us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
12,285us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
9,904us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
Vesting period of shares 12 months 12 months 3 years
Percent of shares vested, Directors 100.00%sji_PercentageOfSharesVestedDirectors
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
   
Shares outstanding (in shares) 11,610us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
19,617us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
 
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward}      
Nonvested shares outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) 19,617us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
   
Granted (in shares) 11,610us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
12,285us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
9,904us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
Vested (in shares) (19,617)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
[1]    
Cancelled/Forfeited (in shares) 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
   
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 11,610us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
19,617us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
 
Weighted Average Fair Value      
Market value of shares awarded 600,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualFairValueOfSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
600,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualFairValueOfSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
600,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualFairValueOfSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
Directors [Member] | Cost [Member]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Net Expense $ 633,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
$ 765,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
$ 896,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
Directors [Member] | Jan. 2014 [Member]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Shares outstanding (in shares) 11,610us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
   
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 54.51us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
   
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward}      
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 11,610us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
   
Weighted Average Fair Value      
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 54.51us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
   
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]      
Number of awards granted 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward}      
Granted (in shares) 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
[1] Performance targets during the three-year vesting period were not attained for the January 2012 grant. As a result, no shares will be awarded in 2015.