SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

GENERAL - South Jersey Industries, Inc. (SJI or the Company) currently provides a variety of energy-related products and services primarily through the following wholly-owned 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 along with fuel management services 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. The following entities are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Marina as of December 31, 2015 (see Note 3):


•	ACB Energy Partners, LLC (ACB) owns and operates a natural gas fueled combined heating, cooling and power facility located in Atlantic City, New Jersey.


•	AC Landfill Energy, LLC (ACLE), BC Landfill Energy, LLC (BCLE), SC Landfill Energy, LLC (SCLE) and SX Landfill Energy, LLC (SXLE) own and operate landfill gas-fired electric production facilities in Atlantic, Burlington, Salem and Sussex Counties located in New Jersey.


•	MCS Energy Partners, LLC (MCS), NBS Energy Partners, LLC (NBS) and SBS Energy Partners, LLC (SBS) own and operate solar-generation sites located in New Jersey.


▪	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.


•	SJI Midstream, LLC was formed in 2014 to invest in infrastructure and other midstream projects, including a current project to build a 100-mile natural gas pipeline in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - The 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 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.

RECLASSIFICATIONS

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period's regulatory liabilities disclosure to conform to the current period presentation. The societal benefit costs payable previously included in "Other Regulatory Liabilities" were reclassified to the line item "Societal Benefit Costs Payable" in the regulatory liabilities table disclosed in Note 11.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period's deferred tax asset/liability disclosure to conform to the current period presentation. The breakout of current and noncurrent assets/liabilities previously disclosed in Note 4 was reclassified to separate deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as disclosed in Note 4.

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

EQUITY INVESTMENTS - Marketable equity securities that are purchased as long-term investments are classified as Available-for-Sale Securities and carried at their fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. Any unrealized gains or losses are included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. SJI, through wholly owned subsidiaries, holds significant variable interests in several companies but is not the primary beneficiary. Consequently, these investments are accounted for under the equity method. In the event that losses and/or distributions from these equity method investments exceed the carrying value, and the Company is obligated to provide additional financial support, the excess will be recorded as either a current or non-current liability on the consolidated balance sheets. We include the operations of these affiliated companies on a pre-tax basis in the statements of consolidated income under Equity in (Loss) Earnings of Affiliated Companies (See Note 3). An impairment loss is recorded when there is clear evidence that a decline in value is other than temporary.

ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS - We prepare our consolidated financial statements to conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include amounts related to regulatory accounting, energy derivatives, environmental remediation costs, pension and other postretirement benefit costs, and revenue recognition.

REGULATION

REGULATION - SJG is subject to the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU). See Note 10 for a detailed discussion of SJG's rate structure and regulatory actions. SJG maintains its accounts according to the BPU's prescribed Uniform System of Accounts. SJG follows the accounting for regulated enterprises prescribed by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 980 -”Regulated Operations.” In general, Topic 980 allows for the deferral of certain costs (regulatory assets) and creation of certain obligations (regulatory liabilities) when it is probable that such items will be recovered from or refunded to customers in future periods. See Note 11 for a detailed discussion of regulatory assets and liabilities.

OPERATING REVENUES

OPERATING REVENUES - Gas and electric revenues are recognized in the period the commodity is delivered to customers. For SJG and SJE retail customers that are not billed at the end of the month, we record an estimate to recognize unbilled revenues for gas and electricity delivered from the date of the last meter reading to the end of the month. SJRG's gas revenues are recognized in the period the commodity is delivered. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on energy-related derivative instruments are also recognized in operating revenues for SJRG. See further discussion under Derivative Instruments. SJRG presents revenues and expenses related to its energy trading activities on a net basis in operating revenues. This net presentation has no effect on operating income or net income. We recognize revenues related to SJESP appliance service contracts on a monthly basis as work is completed or commissions are earned. Revenue related to services provided on a time and materials basis is recognized on a monthly basis as the services are provided. Marina recognizes revenue on a monthly basis as services are provided, as lease income is earned, and for on-site energy production that is delivered to its customers.

REVENUE AND THROUGHPUT-BASED TAXES

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.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND PROVISION FOR UNCOLLETIBLE ACCOUNTS

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND PROVISION FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNTS - Accounts receivable are carried at the amount owed by customers. A provision for uncollectible accounts is established based on our collection experience and an assessment of the collectibility of specific accounts.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - For regulatory purposes, utility plant is stated at original cost, which may be different than SJG's cost if the assets were acquired from another regulated entity. Nonutility plant is stated at cost. The cost of adding, replacing and renewing property is charged to the appropriate plant account.

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS - The amounts included under Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO) are primarily related to the legal obligations the Company has to cut and cap gas distribution pipelines when taking those pipelines out of service in future years. These liabilities are generally recognized upon the acquisition or construction of the asset. The related asset retirement cost is capitalized concurrently by increasing the carrying amount of the related asset by the same amount as the liability. Changes in the liability are recorded for the passage of time (accretion) or for revisions to cash flows originally estimated to settle the ARO.

DEPRECIATION

DEPRECIATION - We depreciate utility plant on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining lives of the various property classes. These estimates are periodically reviewed and adjusted as required after BPU approval. The composite annual rate for all depreciable utility property was approximately 2.2% in 2015, 2.2% in 2014, and 2.3% in 2013. The actual composite rate may differ from the approved rate as the asset mix changes over time. Except for retirements outside of the normal course of business, accumulated depreciation is charged with the cost of depreciable utility property retired, less salvage. Nonutility property depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the property, ranging up to 50 years. Gain or loss on the disposition of nonutility property is recognized in operating income.

CAPITALIZED INTEREST

CAPITALIZED INTEREST - SJG capitalizes interest on construction at the rate of return on the rate base utilized by the BPU to set rates in SJG's last base rate proceeding. For SJG's accelerated infrastructure programs, SJG capitalizes interest on construction at a rate prescribed by the programs (see Note 10). Marina, SJRG and SJE capitalize interest on capital projects in progress based on the actual cost of borrowed funds. SJG's amounts are included in Utility Plant and Marina's amounts are included in Nonutility Property and Equipment on the consolidated balance sheets. Interest Charges are presented net of capitalized interest on the statements of consolidated income.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS - We review the carrying amount of long-lived assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such amounts may not be recoverable.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - SJI accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815 - “Derivatives and Hedging.” We record all derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value unless the derivative contracts qualify for the normal purchase and sale exemption. In general, if the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, we recognize the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk in earnings. We currently have no fair value hedges. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, we record the effective portion of the hedge in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and recognize it in the income statement when the hedged item affects earnings. We recognize ineffective portions of the cash flow hedges immediately in earnings. We currently have no cash flow hedges. We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives, strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions and our methods for assessing and testing correlation and hedge ineffectiveness. All hedging instruments are linked to the hedged asset, liability, firm commitment or forecasted transaction. Due to the application of regulatory accounting principles under FASB ASC Topic 980, gains and losses on derivatives related to SJG's gas purchases are recorded through the Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) clause.

Initially and on an ongoing basis, we assess whether derivatives designated as hedges are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows or fair values of the hedged items. We discontinue hedge accounting prospectively if we decide to discontinue the hedging relationship; determine that the anticipated transaction is no longer likely to occur; or determine that a derivative is no longer highly effective as a hedge. In the event that hedge accounting is discontinued, we will continue to carry the derivative on the balance sheet at its current fair value and recognize subsequent changes in fair value in current period earnings. Unrealized gains and losses on the discontinued hedges that were previously included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss will be reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction occurs, or when it is probable that it will not occur. Hedge accounting has been discontinued for all remaining derivatives that were designated as hedging instruments.

GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT

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.

TREASURY STOCK

TREASURY STOCK – SJI uses the par value method of accounting for treasury stock.

INCOME TAXES

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 FASB ASC Topic 740 - “Income Taxes” (See Note 4). 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.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - For purposes of reporting cash flows, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered cash equivalents.

IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS

IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Identifiable intangible assets were acquired as part of the acquisition of Energenic projects as discussed in Note 3. The primary identifiable intangible assets of the Company are customer relationships. The Company determines the useful lives of identifiable intangible assets after considering the specific facts and circumstances related to each intangible asset. Considerations may include the contractual term of any agreement related to the asset, the historical performance of the asset, the Company's long-term strategy for using the asset, any laws or other local regulations which could impact the useful life of the asset, and other economic factors, including competition and specific market conditions. Intangible assets that are deemed to have definite lives (finite-lived intangible assets) are amortized, primarily on a straight-line basis, over their useful lives, generally ranging from 2 to 20 years.

GOODWILL

GOODWILL - Goodwill was acquired as part of the acquisition of Energenic projects as discussed in Note 3. Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration paid over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead is subject to impairment testing on an annual basis, and between annual tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying amount.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS - Other than as described below, no new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during 2015 or 2014 had, or is expected to have, a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in FASB ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, and in most industry-specific topics. The new guidance identifies how and when entities should recognize revenue. The new rules establish a core principle requiring the recognition of revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount reflecting the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for such goods or services. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the Company's financial statement results.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40); Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The new guidance requires management of a company to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern. This ASU is effective for the annual reporting period ending after December 15, 2016, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this standard to have an impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which changes the analysis to be performed in determining whether certain types of legal entities should be consolidated. Specifically, the standard amends the evaluation of whether (a) fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider represent a variable interest, (b) a limited partnership or similar entity has the characteristics of a Variable Interest Entity ("VIE") and (c) a reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. The standard is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this standard to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. The standard is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance will not have an impact on the Company's financial statement results; however, balance sheet presentations will be modified to conform to this guidance.

Also in April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). This ASU provides guidance to customers (a) in determining whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, and (b) on how the arrangement should be accounted for, depending on whether or not it includes a software license. The amended guidance is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect this standard to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. This ASU states that inventory for which cost is determined using a method other than last-in, first-out (LIFO) or the retail method should be subsequently measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value (NRV), rather than at the lower of cost or market. The standard is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the Company's financial statement results.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-13, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Application of the Normal Purchases and Normal Sales Scope Exception to Certain Electricity Contracts within Nodal Energy Markets. This ASU clarifies that for a contract involving the purchase or sale of electricity on a forward basis, companies have the option to elect the normal purchases and normal sales scope exception. Since such contracts meet the physical delivery criterion when the delivery location is within a nodal energy market (i.e., an interconnected electricity grid operated by an independent system operator with established price points at each node or hub location), the ASU notes that it does not constitute net settlement and, consequently, does not cause such a contract to fail to meet the physical delivery criterion. The standard is effective immediately and should be applied prospectively to qualifying contracts existing on August 10, 2015, the date the ASU was issued. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company's financial statement results.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. This ASU states that, given the absence of authoritative guidance for debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements within ASU 2015-03 (defined above), the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting such costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of credit arrangement. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company's financial statement results.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which simplifies the presentation of deferred taxes by requiring that deferred tax assets and liabilities be presented as noncurrent on the balance sheet. ASU 2015-17 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. ASU 2015-17 may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company adopted this guidance, prospectively, as of December 31, 2015.

FAIR VALUE

GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes fair value measurements based on the types of inputs used for the various valuation techniques. The levels of the hierarchy are described below:


•	Level 1: Observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; these include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.


•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

Assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of financial assets and financial liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

(A) Available-for-Sale Securities include securities that are traded in active markets and securities that are not traded publicly. The securities traded in active markets are valued using the quoted principal market close prices that are provided by the trustees and are categorized in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The remaining securities consist of funds that are not publicly traded. These funds, which consist of stocks and bonds that are traded individually in active markets, are valued using quoted prices for similar assets and are categorized in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

(B) Derivatives – Energy Related Assets and Liabilities are traded in both exchange-based and non-exchange-based markets. Exchange-based contracts are valued using unadjusted quoted market sources in active markets and are categorized in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Certain non-exchange-based contracts are valued using indicative price quotations available through brokers or over-the-counter, on-line exchanges and are categorized in Level 2. These price quotations reflect the average of the bid-ask mid-point prices and are obtained from sources that management believes provide the most liquid market. For non-exchange-based derivatives that trade in less liquid markets with limited pricing information, model inputs generally would include both observable and unobservable inputs. In instances where observable data is unavailable, management considers the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. This includes assumptions about market risks such as liquidity, volatility and contract duration. Such instruments are categorized in Level 3 as the model inputs generally are not observable.

Significant Unobservable Inputs - Management uses the discounted cash flow model to value Level 3 physical and financial forwards, which calculates mark-to-market valuations based on forward market prices, original transaction prices, volumes, risk-free rate of return and credit spreads. Inputs to the valuation model are reviewed and revised as needed, based on historical information, updated market data, market liquidity and relationships, and changes in third party pricing sources. The validity of the mark-to-market valuations and changes in mark-to-market valuations from period to period are examined and qualified against historical expectations by the risk management function. If any discrepancies are identified during this process, the mark-to-market valuations or the market pricing information is evaluated further and adjusted, if necessary.

Level 3 valuation methods for natural gas derivative contracts include utilizing another location in close proximity adjusted for certain pipeline charges to derive a basis value. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of certain natural gas contracts consist of forward prices developed based on industry-standard methodologies. Significant increases (decreases) in these forward prices for purchases of natural gas would result in a directionally similar impact to the fair value measurement and for sales of natural gas would result in a directionally opposite impact to the fair value measurement. Level 3 valuation methods for electric represent the value of the contract marked to the forward wholesale curve, as provided by daily exchange quotes for delivered electricity. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of electric contracts consist of fixed contracted electric load profiles; therefore no change in unobservable inputs would occur. Unobservable inputs are updated daily using industry-standard techniques. Management reviews and corroborates the price quotations to ensure the prices are observable which includes consideration of actual transaction volumes, market delivery points, bid-ask spreads and contract duration.

(C) Derivatives – Other are valued using quoted prices on commonly quoted intervals, which are interpolated for periods different than the quoted intervals, as inputs to a market valuation model. Market inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment.