SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS

SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS:

SJI operates in several different reportable operating segments which reflect the financial information regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker. Gas Utility Operations (SJG) consists primarily of natural gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Wholesale Energy Operations include SJRG’s activities. SJE is involved in both retail gas and retail electric activities. Retail Gas and Other Operations include natural gas acquisition and transportation service business lines. Retail Electric Operations consist of electricity acquisition and transportation to commercial and industrial customers. On-Site Energy Production consists of Marina’s thermal energy facility and other energy-related projects. Appliance Service Operations includes SJESP’s servicing of appliances under warranty via a subcontractor arrangement as well as on a time and materials basis, and the installation of residential and small commercial HVAC systems.  The Retail Energy Operations caption includes Retail Gas and Other, Retail Electric, On-Site Energy Production and Appliance Service Operations. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.  Intersegment sales and transfers are treated as if the sales or transfers were to third parties at current market prices.

Information about SJI’s operations in different reportable operating segments is presented below (in thousands):

	2011			2010			2009
Operating Revenues:
Gas Utility Operations	$	412,449		$	475,982		$	484,376
Wholesale Energy Operations	68,370			88,729			97,475
Retail Energy Operations:
Retail Gas and Other Operations	100,977			114,536			109,414
Retail Electric Operations	206,422			207,576			113,606
On-Site Energy Production	39,919			38,138			37,031
Appliance Service Operations	17,056			19,735			18,900
Subtotal Retail Energy Operations	364,374			379,985			278,951
Corporate & Services	25,325			22,468			19,948
Subtotal	870,518			967,164			880,750
Intersegment Sales	(41,958		)	(42,097		)	(35,306		)
Total Operating Revenues	$	828,560		$	925,067		$	845,444

	2011			2010			2009
Operating Income (Loss):
Gas Utility Operations	$	102,663		$	90,700		$	81,439
Wholesale Energy Operations	16,225			6,154			29,601
Retail Energy Operations:
Retail Gas and Other Operations	478			1,065			78
Retail Electric Operations	1,755			13,051			(7,459		)
On-Site Energy Production	2,254			4,063			5,309
Appliance Service Operations	(1,539		)	432			1,361
Subtotal Retail Energy Operations	2,948			18,611			(711		)
Corporate and Services	(229		)	1,027			781
Total Operating Income	$	121,607		$	116,492		$	111,110
Depreciation and Amortization:
Gas Utility Operations	$	41,959		$	39,502		$	34,507
Wholesale Energy Operations	253			252			304
Retail Energy Operations:
Retail Gas and Other Operations	33			35			21
On-Site Energy Production	4,527			3,920			3,804
Appliance Service Operations	322			344			306
Subtotal Retail Energy Operations	4,882			4,299			4,131
Corporate and Services	665			641			505
Total Depreciation and Amortization	$	47,759		$	44,694		$	39,447
Interest Charges:
Gas Utility Operations	$	18,922		$	17,641		$	16,442
Wholesale Energy Operations	54			94			339
Retail Energy Operations:
Retail Gas and Other Operations	186			172			16
On-Site Energy Production	5,436			3,898			1,928
Subtotal Retail Energy Operations	5,622			4,070			1,944
Corporate and Services	2,648			1,076			780
Subtotal	27,246			22,881			19,505
Intersegment Borrowings	(3,168		)	(985		)	(513		)
Total Interest Charges	$	24,078		$	21,896		$	18,992
Income Taxes:
Gas Utility Operations	$	34,281		$	29,676		$	27,104
Wholesale Energy Operations	7,517			3,243			12,456
Retail Energy Operations:
Retail Gas and Other Operations	511			678			20
Retail Electric Operations	717			5,353			(3,064		)
On-Site Energy Production	(22,258		)	(10,635		)	(3,138		)
Appliance Service Operations	1,480			174			601
Subtotal Retail Energy Operations	(19,550		)	(4,430		)	(5,581		)
Corporate and Services	254			322			323
Total Income Taxes	$	22,502		$	28,811		$	34,302

	2011		2010		2009
Property Additions:
Gas Utility Operations	$	141,918	$	111,653	$	110,694
Wholesale Energy Operations	83		682		27
Retail Energy Operations:
Retail Gas and Other Operations	22		31		16
On-Site Energy Production	57,093		50,427		9,760
Appliance Service Operations	254		141		577
Subtotal Retail Energy Operations	57,369		50,599		10,353
Corporate and Services	605		1,029		290
Total Property Additions	$	199,975	$	163,963	$	121,364

	2011			2010
Identifiable Assets:
Gas Utility Operations	$	1,615,723		$	1,468,635
Wholesale Energy Operations	159,424			237,978
Retail Energy Operations:
Retail Gas and Other Operations	14,659			21,532
Retail Electric Operations	31,225			37,383
On-Site Energy Production	275,053			147,064
Appliance Service Operations	11,335			18,528
Subtotal Retail Energy Operations	332,272			224,507
Discontinued Operations	224			890
Corporate and Services	156,252			168,788
Intersegment Assets	(16,385		)	(24,183		)
Total Identifiable Assets	$	2,247,510		$	2,076,615