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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
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 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, industrial and residential 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. It currently operates projects in New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts and Vermont. The significant wholly-owned subsidiaries of Marina include:

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-to-energy 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) serviced residential and small commercial HVAC systems, installed small commercial HVAC systems, provided plumbing services and serviced appliances under warranty via a subcontractor arrangement as well as on a time and materials basis. On September 1, 2017, SJESP sold certain assets of its residential and small commercial HVAC and plumbing business to a third party. SJESP continues to receive commissions paid on service contracts from the third party and will do so on a go forward basis.

SJI Midstream, LLC (Midstream) invests in infrastructure and other midstream projects, including a current project to build an approximately 118-mile natural gas pipeline in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

In October 2017, SJI announced that it had entered into agreements to acquire the assets of Elizabethtown Gas and Elkton Gas from Pivotal Utility Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Southern Company Gas. SJI is acquiring the assets of both companies for total consideration of $1.7 billion. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2018, and is subject to approvals by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC), with limited approvals also required from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), as well as certain anti-trust filings and approvals. In April 2018, SJI completed public equity offerings and issued long-term debt to help fund the acquisition (see Note 17).

In connection with the acquisition, SJI has incurred total fees of $9.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018. Of these fees, $5.5 million were related to consulting and legal expenses and recorded as Operations Expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The remaining $3.8 million relates to a senior unsecured bridge facility (the “Bridge Facility”), which was entered into in the fourth quarter of 2017. Debt issuance costs associated with the Bridge Facility of $2.6 million were amortized to interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2018. Also incurred was $1.2 million of ticking fees which are also recorded as interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2018. The interest expenses noted above are recorded in Interest Charges in the condensed consolidated statements of income. All of the above costs are included in the Corporate & Services segment.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - SJI's condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SJI, its wholly-owned subsidiaries (including SJG) and subsidiaries in which SJI has a controlling interest. SJI eliminates all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. In management’s opinion, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of SJI and SJG reflect all normal and recurring adjustments needed to fairly present their respective financial positions, operating results and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented. SJI’s and SJG'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 of SJI and SJG 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 and SJG's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for a more complete discussion of the accounting policies and certain other information.

Certain reclassifications have been made to SJI's and SJG's prior period condensed consolidated statements of income to conform to the current period presentation. The non-service cost components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs are now included as a reduction to Other Income and Expense, as opposed to being recorded as an Operations Expense, to conform with ASU 2017-07, which is described below under "New Accounting Pronouncements." This caused Other Income to be reduced, and Operations Expense to also be reduced, by $1.2 million and $0.6 million for SJI and SJG, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2017. This also caused a reclassification to SJI's prior period segments disclosure in Note 6 to increase Operating Income within both the Gas Utility Operations and Corporate & Services segments by $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Certain reclassifications have been made to SJI's prior period segments disclosures to conform to the current period presentation. The activities of SJI Midstream, which were presented in the Corporate & Services segment during the three months ended March 31, 2017, are now separated into the Midstream segment for the same period in 2018. This caused prior period adjustments to Interest Charges, Income Taxes and Property Additions in Note 6.

REVENUE-BASED TAXES - SJG collects certain revenue-based energy taxes from its customers. Such taxes include the 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 Energy and Other Taxes and totaled $0.4 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.
 
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS - Long-lived assets that are held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate carrying values may not be recoverable. Such reviews are performed in accordance with ASC 360. An impairment loss is indicated if the total future estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from an asset are less than its carrying value. An impairment charge is measured by the difference between an asset's carrying amount and fair value with the difference recorded within Operating Expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of income. Fair values can be determined by a variety of valuation methods, including third-party appraisals, sales prices of similar assets, and present value techniques.

No impairments were identified at SJI or SJG for the three months ended March 31, 2018. SJI recorded an impairment charge of $0.3 million during the first quarter of 2017 due to a reduction in the expected cash flows to be received from a solar generating facility within the on-site energy production segment. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, no impairments were identified at SJG.

Marina’s solar energy projects rely on returns from electricity and solar renewable energy credits (SRECs).  A decrease in the value of electricity and SRECs due to market conditions and/or legislative changes may negatively impact Marina's return on its investments as well as lead to impairment of the respective assets. 

GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT - SJI 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 charges were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $8.6 million and $8.7 million, respectively, 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 SJI's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
TREASURY STOCK - SJI uses the par value method of accounting for treasury stock. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, SJI held219,136 and 216,642 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.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Reform") was enacted into law, which changed various corporate income tax provisions within the existing Internal Revenue Code. The law became effective January 1, 2018 but was required to be accounted for in the period of enactment, as such SJI adopted the new law in the fourth quarter of 2017. SJI and SJG were impacted in several ways as a result of Tax Reform, including provisions related to the permanent reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, modification of bonus depreciation and changes to the deductibility of certain business-related expenses.

The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of Tax Reform. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the enactment date of Tax Reform for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of Tax Reform for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of Tax Reform is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of Tax Reform.

SJI and SJG were able to make reasonable, good faith estimates of certain effects and, therefore, recorded provisional adjustments for the following: the tax rules regarding the appropriate bonus deprecation rate that should be applied to assets placed in service after September 27, 2017, including the information required to compute the applicable depreciable tax basis. Further, Tax Reform is unclear in certain respects and will require interpretations and implementing regulations by the Internal Revenue Service, as well as state tax authorities. Tax Reform could also be subject to potential amendments and technical corrections which could impact the Company’s financial statements.

Any required changes to the provisional estimates would result in the recording of regulatory assets or liabilities to the extent such amounts are probable of settlement or recovery through customer rates and a net change to income tax expense for any other amounts. Final adjustments to the provisional amounts are expected to be recorded by the third quarter of 2018. The accounting for all other applicable provisions of Tax Reform is considered complete based on the current interpretation.

GOODWILL - 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. No such events have occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2018. Goodwill totaled $3.6 million on the condensed consolidated balance sheets of SJI as of both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS - Other than as described below, no new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during 2018 or 2017 had, or are expected to have, a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 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. In connection with this new standard, the FASB has issued several amendments to ASU 2014-09, as follows:

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net). This standard improves the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations and whether an entity reports revenue on a gross or net basis.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. This standard clarifies identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance.

In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. This standard provides additional guidance on (a) the objective of the collectibility criterion, (b) the presentation of sales tax collected from customers, (c) the measurement date of non-cash consideration received, (d) practical expedients in respect of contract modifications and completed contracts at transition, and (e) disclosure of the effects of the accounting change in the period of adoption.

In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which amends certain narrow aspects of the guidance, including the disclosure of remaining performance obligations and prior-period performance obligations, as well as other amendments to the guidance on loan guarantee fees, contract costs, refund liabilities, advertising costs and the clarification of certain examples.

The new guidance in ASU 2014-09, as well as all amendments discussed above, is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017.

On January 1, 2018, SJI and SJG adopted ASU 2014-09 and all amendments, which meant adopting the guidance in ASC 606. SJI and SJG adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the historic accounting under ASC 605. See Note 16. The methods of recognizing revenue for SJI's and SJG's contracts with customers is the same under ASC 605 and ASC 606, as revenues from contracts that SJI and SJG have with customers are currently recorded as gas or electricity is delivered to the customer, which is consistent with the new guidance under ASC 606. As such, there was no significant impact to revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 as a result of applying ASC 606, and there was no cumulative catch-up to retained earnings under the modified retrospective method for changes in accounting for revenues. Further, there were no significant changes to our business processes, systems or internal controls over financial reporting needed to support recognition and disclosure under the new guidance.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which enhances the reporting model for financial instruments and includes amendments to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The standard is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for only certain portions of the new guidance. Adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the financial statement results of SJI or SJG.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which establishes a new lease accounting model for lessees. The new standard requires substantially all leases be recognized by lessees on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability, including leases currently accounted for as operating leases. The new standard also will result in enhanced quantitative and qualitative disclosures, including significant judgments made by management, to provide greater insight into the extent of revenue and expense recognized and expected to be recognized from existing leases. The accounting for leases by the lessor remains relatively the same. The standard is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Management has formed an implementation team that is inventorying leases and evaluating the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on SJI's and SJG's financial statements, which includes monitoring industry specific developments including the exposure draft issued by the FASB that would introduce a land easement practical expedient to ASC 842. Consistent with the requirements of the standard, SJI and SJG expect to both transition to the new guidance using the modified retrospective approach, although this could be subject to change based on new guidance from the FASB. The Company does not plan to early adopt the new guidance.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. This standard requires recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of an intra-entity asset transfer, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs, as opposed to current GAAP, which requires companies to defer the income tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The income tax effects of intra-entity inventory transfers will continue to be deferred until the inventory is sold. ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. The standard is required to be adopted on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the financial statement results of SJI or SJG.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. This new standard provides amended and clarifying guidance regarding whether an integrated set of assets and activities acquired is deemed the acquisition of a business (and, thus, accounted for as a business combination) or the acquisition of assets. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the financial statement results of SJI or SJG.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The update simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount. The amendments in this update are effective for annual and any interim impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 31, 2019. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This ASU is designed to improve guidance related to the presentation of defined benefit costs in the income statement. In particular, this ASU requires an employer to report the service cost component in the same line item(s) as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. Adoption of this guidance was applied retrospectively and did not have a material impact on the financial statements of SJI or SJG; however, current and prior period presentation on the condensed consolidated statements of income were modified for SJI and SJG to conform to this guidance, as described under “Basis of Presentation” above.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting. This ASU clarifies and reduces both (i) diversity in practice and (ii) cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, to a change to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment award. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. Adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the financial statement results of SJI or SJG.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This ASU is intended to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships so that it represents a more faithful portrayal of an entity’s risk management activities (i.e. to help financial statement users understand an entity’s risk exposures and the manner in which hedging strategies are used to manage them), as well as to further simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance in GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from Tax Reform. Consequently, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Reform and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. The ASU is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statements of SJI and SJG.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which gave improvements and enhancements to ASU 2016-01 discussed above. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2018. SJI and SJG adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2018 in conjunction with adopting ASU 2016-01 discussed above. Adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the financial statement results of SJI or SJG.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-04, Investments—Debt Securities (Topic 320) and Regulated Operations (Topic 980): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 117 and SEC Release No. 33-9273 (SEC Update). This ASU incorporates recent SEC guidance which was issued in order to make the relevant interpretive guidance consistent with current authoritative accounting and auditing guidance and SEC rules and regulation. ASU No. 2018-04 was effective upon issuance. Adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the financial statement results of SJI or SJG.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SEC Update). This ASU incorporates recent SEC guidance related to the income tax accounting implications of Tax Reform. ASU No. 2018-05 was effective upon issuance. Adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the financial statement results of SJI or SJG.