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EX-32.4 - EXHIBIT 32.4 - SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES INCsjg-33117ex324.htm
EX-32.3 - EXHIBIT 32.3 - SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES INCsjg-33117ex323.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES INCsji-33117xex322.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES INCsji-33117xex321.htm
EX-31.4 - EXHIBIT 31.4 - SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES INCsjg-33117ex314.htm
EX-31.3 - EXHIBIT 31.3 - SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES INCsjg-33117ex313.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES INCsji-33117xex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES INCsji-33117xex311.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark one)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________________ to ______________________
Commission
File Number
Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter and principal
office address and telephone number
State of
Incorporation
I.R.S.
Employer
Identification No.
1-6364
South Jersey Industries, Inc.
1 South Jersey Plaza
Folsom, NJ 08037
(609) 561-9000
New Jersey
22-1901645
000-22211
South Jersey Gas Company
1 South Jersey Plaza
Folsom, NJ 08037
(609) 561-9000
New Jersey
21-0398330
Indicate by check mark whether each registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that such registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes x   No o

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that such registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x   No o

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
South Jersey Industries, Inc.:
 
Large accelerated filer   x
Accelerated filer      o
Non-accelerated filer     o 
Smaller reporting company      o
Emerging growth company      o
 
 
 
 
South Jersey Gas Company:
 
Large accelerated filer   o
Accelerated filer      o
Non-accelerated filer     x 
Smaller reporting company      o
Emerging growth company      o
 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if either registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act o

Indicate by check mark whether either registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No x
South Jersey Industries, Inc. common stock ($1.25 par value) outstanding as of May 1, 2017 was 79,547,998 shares. South Jersey Gas Company common stock ($2.50 par value) outstanding as of May 1, 2017 was 2,339,139 shares. All of South Jersey Gas Company's outstanding shares of common stock are held by South Jersey Industries, Inc.
South Jersey Gas Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of South Jersey Industries, Inc. and meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q. As such, South Jersey Gas Company files its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format authorized by General Instruction H.




TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Page No.
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
South Jersey Industries, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
South Jersey Gas Company
 
 
Condensed Statements of Income
 
Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
 
Condensed Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
 
  South Jersey Industries, Inc. and South Jersey Gas Company - Combined
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 6.
 
 
 




INTRODUCTION

FILING FORMAT

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report being filed separately by two registrants: South Jersey Industries, Inc. (SJI) and South Jersey Gas Company (SJG). Information relating to SJI or any of its subsidiaries, other than SJG, is filed by SJI on its own behalf. SJG is only responsible for information about itself.

Except where the content clearly indicates otherwise, any reference in the report to "SJI," "the Company," "we," "us" or "our" is to the holding company or SJI and all of its subsidiaries, including SJG, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of SJI.

Part 1 - Financial information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes separate financial statements (i.e., balance sheets, statements of income, statements of comprehensive income and statements of cash flows) for SJI and SJG. The Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are presented on a combined basis for both SJI and SJG. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Management's Discussion) included under Item 2 is divided into two major sections: SJI and SJG.




Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands Except for Per Share Data)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Operating Revenues:
 
 
 
Utility
$
195,769

 
$
183,669

Nonutility
230,060

 
149,366

Total Operating Revenues
425,829

 
333,035

Operating Expenses:
 

 
 

Cost of Sales - (Excluding depreciation)
 

 
 

 - Utility
71,379

 
65,206

 - Nonutility
215,763

 
87,769

Operations
39,626

 
38,797

Maintenance
4,981

 
4,384

Depreciation
24,323

 
20,701

Energy and Other Taxes
2,071

 
1,925

Total Operating Expenses
358,143

 
218,782

Operating Income
67,686

 
114,253

 
 
 
 
Other Income and Expense
5,665

 
2,203

Interest Charges
(16,745
)
 
(9,160
)
Income Before Income Taxes
56,606

 
107,296

Income Taxes
(21,870
)
 
(39,267
)
Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies
3,011

 
158

Income from Continuing Operations
37,747

 
68,187

Loss from Discontinued Operations - (Net of tax benefit)
(30
)
 
(118
)
Net Income
$
37,717

 
$
68,069

 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
 

 
 

Continuing Operations
$
0.47

 
$
0.96

Discontinued Operations

 

Basic Earnings Per Common Share
$
0.47

 
$
0.96

 
 
 
 
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Basic
79,519

 
71,127

 
 
 
 
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
 

 
 

Continuing Operations
$
0.47

 
$
0.95

Discontinued Operations

 

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
$
0.47

 
$
0.95

 
 
 
 
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Diluted
79,641

 
71,416

 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared Per Common Share
$
0.27

 
$
0.26


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
 


1



SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net Income
$
37,717

 
$
68,069

 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:*
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Unrealized Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities

 
49

Unrealized Gain on Derivatives - Other
1,515

 
51

 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax*
1,515

 
100

 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
$
39,232

 
$
68,169

 
 
 
 
* Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

























2


SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (See Note 1)
$
79,528

 
$
98,465

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 

 
 

Capital Expenditures (See Note 1)
(67,278
)
 
(67,637
)
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant & Equipment
3,058

 

Investment in Long-Term Receivables
(2,362
)
 
(3,142
)
Proceeds from Long-Term Receivables
2,554

 
2,527

Notes Receivable
3,000

 
(50
)
Purchase of Company-Owned Life Insurance
(8,074
)
 
(357
)
Investment in Affiliate
(5,902
)
 
(3,079
)
Net Repayment of Notes Receivable - Affiliate
2,251

 
1,626

 
 
 
 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (See Note 1)
(72,753
)
 
(70,112
)
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 

 
 

Net Repayments of Short-Term Credit Facilities
(91,000
)
 
(92,200
)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt
273,000

 
61,000

Principal Repayments of Long-Term Debt
(200,000
)
 
(12,905
)
Payments for Issuance of Long-Term Debt
(2,021
)
 

Net Settlement of Restricted Stock (See Note 1)
(751
)
 
(385
)
Proceeds from Sale of Common Stock

 
5,645

 
 
 
 
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
(20,772
)
 
(38,845
)
 
 
 
 
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
(13,997
)
 
(10,492
)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period (See Note 1)
31,910

 
52,635

 
 
 
 
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period (See Note 1)
$
17,913

 
$
42,143


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.












3


SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Assets
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
Utility Plant, at original cost
$
2,479,539

 
$
2,424,134

Accumulated Depreciation
(476,774
)
 
(471,222
)
Nonutility Property and Equipment, at cost
821,230

 
821,942

Accumulated Depreciation
(161,310
)
 
(151,084
)
 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
2,662,685

 
2,623,770

 
 
 
 
Investments:
 

 
 

Available-for-Sale Securities
32

 
32

Restricted
2,865

 
13,628

Investment in Affiliates
37,331

 
28,906

 
 
 
 
Total Investments
40,228

 
42,566

 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 

 
 

Cash and Cash Equivalents
15,048

 
18,282

Accounts Receivable
234,312

 
222,339

Unbilled Revenues
54,803

 
59,680

Provision for Uncollectibles
(11,972
)
 
(12,744
)
Notes Receivable
1,454

 
1,454

Notes Receivable - Affiliate
211

 
2,461

Natural Gas in Storage, average cost
35,216

 
53,857

Materials and Supplies, average cost
6,916

 
6,753

Prepaid Taxes
10,601

 
17,471

Derivatives - Energy Related Assets
58,129

 
72,391

Other Prepayments and Current Assets
31,910

 
31,369

 
 
 
 
Total Current Assets
436,628

 
473,313

 
 
 
 
Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets:
 

 
 

Regulatory Assets
424,990

 
410,746

Derivatives - Energy Related Assets
8,061

 
8,502

Notes Receivable - Affiliate
13,275

 
13,275

Contract Receivables
28,961

 
29,037

Notes Receivable
20,433

 
25,271

Goodwill
4,838

 
4,838

Identifiable Intangible Assets
15,537

 
15,820

Other
91,716

 
83,429

 
 
 
 
Total Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets
607,811

 
590,918

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
3,747,352

 
$
3,730,567

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Capitalization and Liabilities
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
Common Stock
$
99,435

 
$
99,347

Premium on Common Stock
707,483

 
706,943

Treasury Stock (at par)
(269
)
 
(266
)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(25,866
)
 
(27,381
)
Retained Earnings
527,115

 
510,597

 
 
 
 
Total Equity
1,307,898

 
1,289,240

 
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
1,079,298

 
808,005

 
 
 
 
Total Capitalization
2,387,196

 
2,097,245

 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 

 
 

Notes Payable
205,100

 
296,100

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
31,909

 
231,909

Accounts Payable
272,673

 
243,669

Customer Deposits and Credit Balances
38,366

 
48,068

Environmental Remediation Costs
54,210

 
46,120

Taxes Accrued
6,288

 
2,082

Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities
31,702

 
60,082

Derivatives - Other
738

 
681

Dividends Payable
21,750

 

Interest Accrued
7,189

 
6,231

Pension Benefits
2,463

 
2,463

Other Current Liabilities
8,635

 
15,219

 
 
 
 
Total Current Liabilities
681,023

 
952,624

 
 
 
 
Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities:
 

 
 

Deferred Income Taxes - Net
365,764

 
343,549

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
87,654

 
95,235

Environmental Remediation Costs
104,705

 
108,893

Asset Retirement Obligations
59,598

 
59,427

Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities
4,036

 
4,540

Derivatives - Other
10,017

 
9,349

Regulatory Liabilities
37,308

 
49,121

Other
10,051

 
10,584

 
 
 
 
Total Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
679,133

 
680,698

 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies  (Note 11)


 


 
 
 
 
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
$
3,747,352

 
$
3,730,567

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.




5





SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Operating Revenues
$
196,814

 
$
187,766

 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
Cost of Sales (Excluding depreciation)
72,424

 
69,303

Operations
24,754

 
26,069

Maintenance
4,981

 
4,384

Depreciation
12,714

 
11,210

Energy and Other Taxes
1,295

 
1,027

 
 
 
 
Total Operating Expenses
116,168

 
111,993

 
 
 
 
Operating Income
80,646

 
75,773

 
 
 
 
Other Income and Expense
1,621

 
836

 
 
 
 
Interest Charges
(5,878
)
 
(4,787
)
 
 
 
 
Income Before Income Taxes
76,389

 
71,822

 
 
 
 
Income Taxes
(29,911
)
 
(27,404
)
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
46,478

 
$
44,418



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.



 
 
 
 




6



SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net Income
$
46,478

 
$
44,418

 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax: *
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Gain on Available-for-Sale Securities

 
4

Unrealized Gain on Derivatives - Other
7

 
7

 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income - Net of Tax *
7

 
11

 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
$
46,485

 
$
44,429

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
* Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40%.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.



7


SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
$
56,986

 
$
68,838

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures
(56,086
)
 
(60,098
)
Note Receivable

 
(50
)
Purchase of Company-Owned Life Insurance
(4,875
)
 

Investment in Long-Term Receivables
(2,362
)
 
(3,142
)
Proceeds from Long-Term Receivables
2,554

 
2,527

 
 
 
 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (See Note 1)
(60,769
)
 
(60,763
)
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Net Repayments of Short-Term Credit Facilities
(104,300
)
 
(69,600
)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt
273,000

 
61,000

Principal Repayments of Long-Term Debt
(200,000
)
 

Payments for Issuance of Long-Term Debt
(2,021
)
 
(1
)
Additional Investment by Shareholder
40,000

 

 
 
 
 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
6,679

 
(8,601
)
 
 
 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
2,896

 
(526
)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period (See Note 1)
1,391

 
7,544

 
 
 
 
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period (See Note 1)
$
4,287

 
$
7,018

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.


8



SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)
 
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Assets
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
Utility Plant, at original cost
$
2,479,539

 
$
2,424,134

Accumulated Depreciation
(476,774
)
 
(471,222
)
 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
2,002,765

 
1,952,912

 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
Restricted Investments
32

 
32

 
 
 
 
Total Investments
32

 
32

 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
4,255

 
1,359

Accounts Receivable
96,741

 
69,651

Accounts Receivable - Related Parties
1,096

 
1,355

Unbilled Revenues
37,085

 
41,754

Provision for Uncollectibles
(11,784
)
 
(12,570
)
Natural Gas in Storage, average cost
2,924

 
11,621

Materials and Supplies, average cost
909

 
914

Prepaid Taxes
9,581

 
16,428

Derivatives - Energy Related Assets
3,107

 
5,434

Other Prepayments and Current Assets
13,486

 
13,853

 
 
 
 
Total Current Assets
157,400

 
149,799

 
 
 
 
Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets:
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
424,990

 
410,746

Long-Term Receivables
25,781

 
25,758

Derivatives - Energy Related Assets

 
373

Other
16,448

 
12,303

 
 
 
 
Total Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Assets
467,219

 
449,180

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
2,627,416

 
$
2,551,923

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.


9


SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Capitalization and Liabilities
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
Common Stock
$
5,848

 
$
5,848

Other Paid-In Capital and Premium on Common Stock
355,744

 
315,827

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(14,927
)
 
(14,934
)
Retained Earnings
579,758

 
533,159

 
 
 
 
Total Equity
926,423

 
839,900

 
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
694,351

 
423,177

 
 
 
 
Total Capitalization
1,620,774

 
1,263,077

 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 

 
 

Notes Payable

 
104,300

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
15,909

 
215,909

Accounts Payable - Commodity
18,044

 
23,815

Accounts Payable - Other
63,901

 
45,370

Accounts Payable - Related Parties
11,767

 
11,216

Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities
339

 
1,372

Derivatives - Other Current
371

 
386

Customer Deposits and Credit Balances
36,927

 
45,816

Environmental Remediation Costs
53,736

 
45,018

Taxes Accrued
4,946

 
855

Pension Benefits
2,428

 
2,428

Interest Accrued
5,681

 
5,369

Other Current Liabilities
5,833

 
8,011

 
 
 
 
Total Current Liabilities
219,882

 
509,865

 
 
 
 
Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Liabilities:
 

 
 

Regulatory Liabilities
37,308

 
49,121

Deferred Income Taxes - Net
499,450

 
469,408

Environmental Remediation Costs
103,841

 
108,029

Asset Retirement Obligations
58,837

 
58,674

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
75,806

 
81,800

Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities
225

 

Derivatives - Other Noncurrent
6,714

 
6,979

Other
4,579

 
4,970

 
 
 
 
Total Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
786,760

 
778,981

 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
$
2,627,416

 
$
2,551,923

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.


10


 Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1.
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. The significant wholly-owned subsidiaries of Marina are:

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 (Midstream) invests 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 - 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 position, 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, 2016 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 cash flows to conform to the current period presentation. Restricted cash is now combined with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period balances on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows of SJI, as well as the condensed statements of cash flows for SJG, to conform to ASU 2016-18, which is described below under "New Accounting Pronouncements." This combination of restricted cash and cash and cash equivalents caused Cash Flows from Investing Activities for both SJI and SJG to be adjusted in order to remove items relating to capital expenditures and proceeds from restricted investments (SJI only), as well as the sale of restricted investments in a margin account (SJI and SJG).


11


Certain reclassifications have been made to SJI's prior period condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to the current period presentation. Cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes is now classified as a financing activity in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to ASU 2016-09, which is described below under "New Accounting Pronouncements." This caused SJI's prior period Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities to increase by $0.4 million and Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities to decrease by the same amount. Adoption of this guidance did not effect SJG's condensed statements of cash flows.

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, 2017 and 2016.
 
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS - SJI and SJG 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. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, SJI recorded an impairment charge of $0.3 million within Operating Expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of income due to a reduction in the expected cash flows to be received from a solar generating facility within the on-site energy production segment. No impairments were identified at SJG for the three months ended March 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, no impairments were identified at SJI or SJG.

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, 2017 or 2016. As of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016,
$8.8 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 SJI's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
TREASURY STOCK - SJI uses the par value method of accounting for treasury stock. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, SJI held 215,274 and 212,617 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.

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, 2017. Goodwill totaled $4.8 million on the condensed consolidated balance sheets of SJI as of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.


12


NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS - Other than as described below, no new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during 2017 or 2016 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 (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. Management has formed an implementation team that is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statement results of SJI and SJG. We are in the process of assessing the impact of the guidance on our contracts in all our revenue streams by reviewing our current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the new requirements to our revenue contracts. We continue to make significant progress on our contract reviews and are also in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, on changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new guidance. Based on the review of customer contracts to date, SJI is not anticipating this guidance to have a material impact to SJI's or SJG's statements of consolidated income, cash flows or consolidated balance sheets upon adoption. We are continuing with our implementation plan and expect to transition to the new guidance beginning in 2018 using the modified retrospective approach.

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 was effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. Adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the financial statement results of SJI or SJG.

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. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statement results of SJI and SJG.


13


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 statement results, as well as the transition method that will be elected to adopt the guidance.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships. The amendments in this guidance clarify that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as a hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. The standard was effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. 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 2016-07, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting, which eliminates the requirement to apply the equity method of accounting retrospectively when a reporting entity obtains significant influence over a previously held investment. The standard was effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. 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 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies various aspects of accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The standard was effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statement results of SJI or SJG; however, cash flow presentation was modified for SJI to conform to this guidance, as described under “Basis of Presentation” above.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This standard is intended to provide guidance concerning the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows and to eliminate the diversity in practice related to such classifications. This standard is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. Both SJI and SJG early adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2017, and adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the financial statement results of SJI or SJG.

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. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statement results of SJI and SJG.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. This standard is intended to reduce diversity in practice in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The ASU requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change in total cash and cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts. The ASU also requires a reconciliation between the total of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash presented on the statement of cash flows and the cash and cash equivalents balance presented on the balance sheets. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Both SJI and SJG early adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2017. Accordingly, cash flow presentations were modified for both entities to conform to this guidance, as described under “Basis of Presentation” above.


14


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. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statement results of SJI and 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 statement results of SJI and SJG.

In March 2017, the FASB has issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The 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. Management is currently determining the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on the financial statement results of SJI and SJG.

2.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN:

On April 30, 2015, the shareholders of SJI approved the adoption of SJI's 2015 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan (Plan), replacing the Amended and Restated 1997 Stock-Based Compensation Plan that had terminated on January 26, 2015. Under the Plan, shares may be issued to SJI’s officers (Officers), non-employee directors (Directors) and other key employees. No options were granted or outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016No stock appreciation rights have been issued under the plans. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, SJI granted 158,688 and 192,760 restricted shares, respectively, to Officers and other key employees under the Plan. Performance-based restricted shares vest over a three-year period and are subject to SJI achieving certain market and earnings-based performance targets, which can cause the actual amount of shares that ultimately vest to range from 0% to 200% of the original shares granted.

In 2015, SJI began granting time-based shares of restricted stock, one-third of which vest annually over a three-year period and which are limited to a 100% payout. Vesting of time-based grants is contingent upon SJI achieving a return on equity (ROE) of at least 7% during the initial year of the grant and meeting the service requirement. Provided that the 7% ROE requirement is met in the initial year, payout is solely contingent upon the service requirement being met in years two and three of the grant. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, Officers and other key employees were granted 48,790 and 57,828 shares of time-based restricted stock, respectively, which are included in the shares noted above.

Grants containing market-based performance targets use SJI's total shareholder return (TSR) relative to a peer group to measure performance. As TSR-based grants are contingent upon market and service conditions, SJI is required to measure and recognize stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value at the date of grant on a straight-line basis over the requisite three-year period of each award. In addition, SJI identifies specific forfeitures of share-based awards, and compensation expense is adjusted accordingly over the requisite service period. Compensation expense is not adjusted based on the actual achievement of performance goals. The fair value of TSR-based restricted stock awards on the date of grant is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

Through 2014, grants containing earnings-based targets were based on SJI's earnings growth rate per share (EGR) relative to a peer group to measure performance. In 2015, earnings-based performance targets included pre-defined EGR and ROE goals to measure performance. Beginning in 2016, performance targets include pre-defined compounded earnings annual growth rate (CEGR) for SJI. As EGR-based, ROE-based and CEGR-based grants are contingent upon performance and service conditions, SJI is required to measure and recognize stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value at the date of grant over the requisite three-year period of each award. The fair value is measured as the market price at the date of grant. The initial accruals of compensation expense are based on the estimated number of shares expected to vest, assuming the requisite service is rendered and probable outcome of the performance condition is achieved. That estimate is revised if subsequent information indicates that the actual number of shares is likely to differ from previous estimates. Compensation expense is ultimately adjusted based on the actual achievement of service and performance targets.


15


During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, SJI granted 30,394 and 32,882 restricted shares, respectively, to Directors. Shares issued to Directors vest over twelve months and contain no performance conditions. As a result, 100% of the shares granted generally vest.

The following table summarizes the nonvested restricted stock awards outstanding for SJI at March 31, 2017 and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the awards:

 
Grants
 
Shares Outstanding
 
Fair Value Per Share
 
Expected Volatility
 
Risk-Free Interest Rate
Officers & Key Employees -
2015 - TSR
 
33,537

 
$
26.31

 
16.0
%
 
1.10
%
 
2015 - EGR, ROE, Time
 
61,586

 
$
29.47

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
2016 - TSR
 
66,101

 
$
22.53

 
18.1
%
 
1.31
%
 
2016 - CEGR, Time
 
103,650

 
$
23.52

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
2017 - TSR
 
54,949

 
$
32.17

 
20.8
%
 
1.47
%
 
2017 - CEGR, Time
 
103,739

 
$
33.69

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors -
2017
 
30,394

 
$
33.64

 
N/A

 
N/A

 

 


 


 


 



Expected volatility is based on the actual volatility of SJI’s share price over the preceding three-year period as of the valuation date. The risk-free interest rate is based on the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury Bond, with a term equal to the three-year term of the Officers’ and other key employees’ restricted shares. As notional dividend equivalents are credited to the holders during the three-year service period, no reduction to the fair value of the award is required. As the Directors’ restricted stock awards contain no performance conditions and dividends are paid or credited to the holder during the requisite service period, the fair value of these awards are equal to the market value of the shares on the date of grant.

The following table summarizes the total stock-based compensation cost to SJI for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
2016
Officers & Key Employees
$
1,070

$
817

Directors
256

193

Total Cost
1,326

1,010

 
 
 
Capitalized
(88
)
(106
)
Net Expense
$
1,238

$
904


As of March 31, 2017, there was $8.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation awards granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.

The following table summarizes information regarding restricted stock award activity for SJI during the three months ended March 31, 2017, excluding accrued dividend equivalents:

 
Officers &Other Key Employees
 
Directors
 
Weighted
Average
Fair Value
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, January 1, 2017
295,515

 
35,197

 
$
24.96

  Granted
158,688

 
30,394

 
$
33.24

  Cancelled/Forfeited

 

 
$

  Vested
(30,641
)
 
(35,197
)
 
$
24.75

Nonvested Shares Outstanding, March 31, 2017
423,562

 
30,394

 
$
28.44


16



During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, SJI awarded 65,628 shares to its Officers and other key employees at a market value of $2.2 million, and 13,247 shares at a market value of $0.3 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, SJI also granted 30,394 and 32,882 shares to its Directors at a market value of $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

SJI has a policy of issuing new shares to satisfy its obligations under the Plan; therefore, there are no cash payment requirements resulting from the normal operation of the Plan. However, a change in control could result in such shares becoming nonforfeitable or immediately payable in cash. At the discretion of the Officers, Directors and other key employees, the receipt of vested shares can be deferred until future periods. These deferred shares are included in Treasury Stock on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

South Jersey Gas Company - Officers and other key employees of SJG participate in the stock-based compensation plans of SJI. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, SJG officers and other key employees were granted 21,061 and 32,592 shares of SJI restricted stock, respectively. The cost of outstanding stock awards for SJG during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Approximately one-half of these costs were capitalized on SJG's condensed balance sheets to Utility Plant.

3.
AFFILIATIONS, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

AFFILIATIONS — The following affiliated entities are accounted for under the equity method:

Energenic – US, LLC (Energenic) - Marina and a joint venture partner formed Energenic, in which Marina has a 50% equity interest. Energenic developed and operated on-site, self-contained, energy-related projects.

Millennium Account Services, LLC (Millennium) - SJI and a joint venture partner formed Millennium, in which SJI has a 50% equity interest. Millennium reads utility customers’ meters on a monthly basis for a fee.

Potato Creek, LLC (Potato Creek) - SJI and a joint venture partner formed Potato Creek, in which SJI has a 30% equity interest.  Potato Creek owns and manages the oil, gas and mineral rights of certain real estate in Pennsylvania.

PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC (PennEast) - Midstream has a 20% investment in PennEast, which is planning to construct an approximately 100-mile natural gas pipeline that will extend from Northeastern Pennsylvania into New Jersey, with a target completion of late 2018.

During the first three months of 2017 and 2016, SJI made net investments in unconsolidated affiliates of $3.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively.  As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the outstanding balance of Notes Receivable – Affiliate was $13.5 million and $15.7 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2017, the total amount of these notes were secured by property, plant and equipment of the affiliates, accrue interest at 7.5% and are to be repaid through 2025.
    
SJI holds significant variable interests in these entities but is not the primary beneficiary. Consequently, these entities are accounted for under the equity method because SJI does not have both (a) the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. As of March 31, 2017, SJI had a net asset of approximately $37.3 million included in Investment in Affiliates on the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to equity method investees, in addition to Notes Receivable – Affiliate as discussed above. SJI’s maximum exposure to loss from these entities as of March 31, 2017, is limited to its combined equity contributions and the Notes Receivable-Affiliate in the aggregate amount of $50.8 million.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Discontinued Operations consist of the environmental remediation activities related to the properties of South Jersey Fuel, Inc. (SJF) and the product liability litigation and environmental remediation activities related to the prior business of The Morie Company, Inc. (Morie). SJF is a subsidiary of Energy & Minerals, Inc. (EMI), an SJI subsidiary, which previously operated a fuel oil business. Morie is the former sand mining and processing subsidiary of EMI. EMI sold the common stock of Morie in 1996.

SJI conducts tests annually to estimate the environmental remediation costs for these properties (see Note 11).


17


Summarized operating results of the discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, were (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Loss before Income Taxes:
 
 
 
Sand Mining
$
(17
)
 
$
(146
)
Fuel Oil
(29
)
 
(35
)
Income Tax Benefits
16

 
63

Loss from Discontinued Operations — Net
$
(30
)
 
$
(118
)
Earnings Per Common Share from
 
 
 

Discontinued Operations — Net:
 
 
 

Basic and Diluted
$

 
$


SJG RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS - There have been no significant changes in the nature of SJG’s related-party transactions since December 31, 2016. See Note 5 to the Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJG’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a detailed description of the related parties and their associated transactions.

A summary of related party transactions involving SJG, excluding pass-through items, included in SJG's Operating Revenues were as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Operating Revenues/Affiliates:
 
 
 
SJRG
$
963

 
$
4,001

Marina
82

 
96

Other
21

 
21

Total Operating Revenue/Affiliates
$
1,066

 
$
4,118


Related-party transactions involving SJG, excluding pass-through items, included in SJG's Cost of Sales and Operating Expenses were as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Costs of Sales/Affiliates (Excluding depreciation)
 
 
 
SJRG
$
10,450

 
$
7,989

 
 
 
 
Operations Expense/Affiliates:
 
 
 
SJI
$
6,050

 
$
4,555

Millennium
708

 
694

Other
(39
)
 
(57
)
Total Operations Expense/Affiliates
$
6,719

 
$
5,192



18


4.
COMMON STOCK:

The following shares were issued and outstanding for SJI:

 
2017
Beginning Balance, January 1
79,478,055

New Issuances During the Period:
 

Stock-Based Compensation Plan
69,943

Ending Balance, March 31
79,547,998


The par value ($1.25 per share) of stock issued was recorded in Common Stock and the net excess over par value of approximately $0.5 million was recorded in Premium on Common Stock.

In May 2016, the Company issued and sold 8,050,000 shares of its common stock, par value $1.25 per share pursuant to a public offering, raising net proceeds of approximately $203.6 million. The net proceeds from this offering were or will be used for capital expenditures, primarily for regulated businesses, including infrastructure investments at its utility business.

There were 2,339,139 shares of SJG's common stock (par value $2.50 per share) outstanding as of March 31, 2017. SJG did not issue any new shares during the period. SJI owns all of the outstanding common stock of SJG.

SJI's EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (EPS) - SJI's Basic EPS is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  The incremental shares required for inclusion in the denominator for the diluted EPS calculation were 121,812 and 288,502 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These additional shares relate to SJI's restricted stock as discussed in Note 2.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN (DRP) - SJI offers a DRP which allows participating shareholders to purchase shares of SJI common stock by automatic reinvestment of dividends or optional purchases. Prior to May 1, 2016 shares of common stock offered by the DRP had been issued directly by SJI from its authorized but unissued shares of common stock. SJI raised $5.6 million of equity capital through the DRP during the three months ended March 31, 2016. Effective May 1, 2016, SJI switched to purchasing shares on the open market to fund share purchases by DRP participants. SJI does not intend to issue any new equity capital via the DRP in 2017.

5.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

RESTRICTED INVESTMENTS — Marina is required to maintain escrow accounts related to ongoing capital projects as well as unused loan proceeds pending approval of construction expenditures. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the escrowed funds, including interest earned, totaled $2.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively, which are recorded in Restricted Investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

SJI and SJG maintain margin accounts with selected counterparties to support their risk management activities. The balances required to be held in these margin accounts increase as the net value of the outstanding energy-related contracts with the respective counterparties decrease. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, SJI's balances in these accounts totaled $0.9 million and $11.7 million, respectively, which are recorded in Restricted Investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, SJG's balance held for the counterparty totaled $0.3 million and $3.6 million, respectively, which is included in Accounts Payable - Other on the condensed balance sheets.

The carrying amounts of the Restricted Investments for both SJI and SJG approximate their fair values at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, which would be included in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy (see Note 13).



19


The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows (in thousands):

 
 
As of March 31, 2017
Balance Sheet Line Item
 
SJI
SJG
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
15,048

$
4,255

Restricted Investments
 
2,865

32

   Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows
 
$
17,913

$
4,287


 
 
As of December 31, 2016
Balance Sheet Line Item
 
SJI
SJG
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
18,282

$
1,359

Restricted Investments
 
13,628

32

   Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows
 
$
31,910

$
1,391


INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATES - During 2011, subsidiaries of Energenic, in which Marina has a 50% equity interest, entered into 20-year contracts to build, own and operate a central energy center and energy distribution system for a new hotel, casino and entertainment complex in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The complex commenced operations in April 2012, and as a result, Energenic subsidiaries began providing full energy services to the complex.

In June 2014, the parent company of the hotel, casino and entertainment complex filed petitions in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to facilitate a sale of substantially all of its assets. The complex ceased normal business operations in September 2014. Energenic subsidiaries continued to provide limited energy services to the complex during the shutdown period under a temporary agreement with the trustee. The hotel, casino and entertainment complex was sold in April 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the Energenic subsidiaries were providing limited services to the complex under a short-term agreement with the new owner. However, the Energenic subsidiaries had not been able to secure a permanent or long-term energy services agreement with the new owner.

The central energy center and energy distribution system owned by the Energenic subsidiaries was financed in part by the issuance of bonds during 2011. These bonds were collateralized primarily by certain assets of the central energy center and revenue from the energy services agreement with the hotel, casino and entertainment complex. During 2015, due to the cessation of normal business operations of the complex and the inability of the Energenic subsidiaries to meet its obligations under the bonds, the trustee for the bondholders filed suit to foreclose on certain assets of the central energy center. In November 2015 during settlement discussions, the bondholders alleged, among other things, that they were entitled to recover from Energenic itself, any amounts owed under the bonds that were not covered by the collateral, including principal, interest and attorney’s fees. The bondholders’ assertion was based on inconsistent language in the bond documents. In January 2016, Energenic and certain subsidiaries reached a multi-party settlement with the bondholders. This agreement resolves all outstanding litigation and transfers ownership of the bondholders’ collateral to the owners of the entertainment complex. The Company's share of this settlement was $7.5 million, which was accrued by Energenic as of December 31, 2015 and paid in 2016. The Company entered into agreements with its insurance carrier and external legal advisors to recover, net of legal costs, approximately $7.0 million of costs associated with the bondholder settlement discussed above. The Company received $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2016, which is included in Other Income on the statements of consolidated income for the year ended December 31, 2016, and $5.3 million was received in the third quarter of 2016 and is included in Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies on the statements of consolidated income for the year ended December 31, 2016, as the loss recorded in the prior year was included in this line item on the statements of consolidated income for the year ended December 31, 2015.

As of March 31, 2017, SJI, through its investment in Energenic, had a remaining net asset of approximately $0.4 million included in Investment in Affiliates on the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to cogeneration assets for the energy services project. In addition, SJI had approximately $13.9 million included in Notes Receivable - Affiliate on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, due from Energenic, which is secured by those cogeneration assets. This note is subject to a reimbursement agreement that secures reimbursement for SJI, from its joint venture partner, of a proportionate share of any amounts that are not repaid.

Management will continue to monitor the situation surrounding the cogeneration assets and will evaluate the carrying value of the investment and the note receivable as future events occur.

20



LONG-TERM RECEIVABLES - SJG provides financing to customers for the purpose of attracting conversions to natural gas heating systems from competing fuel sources. The terms of these loans call for customers to make monthly payments over periods ranging from five to ten years, with no interest.  The carrying amounts of such loans were $8.7 million and $9.5 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The current portion of these receivables is reflected in Accounts Receivable and the non-current portion is reflected in Contract Receivables on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The carrying amounts noted above are net of unamortized discounts resulting from imputed interest in the amount of $0.9 million as of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The annualized amortization to interest is not material to SJI’s or SJG's condensed consolidated financial statements. The carrying amounts of these receivables approximate their fair value at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, which would be included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy (see Note 13).

CREDIT RISK - As of March 31, 2017, SJI had approximately $5.8 million, or 8.8%, of the current and noncurrent Derivatives – Energy Related Assets transacted with two counterparties. One counterparty has contracts with a large number of diverse customers which minimizes the concentration of this risk. A portion of these contracts may be assigned to SJI in the event of default by the counterparty. The second counterparty is investment-grade rated.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS NOT CARRIED AT FAIR VALUE - The fair value of a financial instrument is the market price to sell an asset or transfer a liability at the measurement date. The carrying amounts of SJI's and SJG's financial instruments approximate their fair values at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, except as noted below.
For Long-Term Debt, in estimating the fair value, SJI and SJG use the present value of remaining cash flows at the balance sheet date. SJI and SJG based the estimates on interest rates available at the end of each period for debt with similar terms and maturities (Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, see Note 13).
The estimated fair values of SJI's long-term debt (which includes SJG and all consolidated subsidiaries), including current maturities, as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, were $1,127.9 million and $1,080.8 million, respectively.  The carrying amounts of SJI's long-term debt, including current maturities, as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, were $1,111.2 million and $1,039.9 million, respectively. SJI's carrying amounts as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $9.3 million and $7.6 million, respectively.
The estimated fair values of SJG's long-term debt, including current maturities, as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, were $721.2 million and $673.1 million, respectively. The carrying amount of SJG's long-term debt, including current maturities, as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, was $710.3 million and $639.1 million, respectively. The carrying amounts as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $7.8 million and $6.0 million, respectively.

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - The carrying amounts of SJI's and SJG's other financial instruments approximate their fair values at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
6.
SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS:

SJI operates in several different reportable operating segments which reflect the financial information regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker. These segments are as follows:

Gas utility operations (SJG) consist primarily of natural gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers. The result of SJG are only included in this operating segment.
Wholesale energy operations include the activities of SJRG and SJEX.
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, industrial and residential customers.
On-site energy production consists of Marina's thermal energy facility and other energy-related projects. Also included in this segment are the activities of ACB, ACLE, BCLE, SCLE, SXLE, MCS, NBS and SBS.
Appliance service operations includes SJESP, which 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.
Midstream was formed to invest in infrastructure and other midstream projects, including a current project to build a natural gas pipeline in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The activities of Midstream are a part of the Corporate and Services segment.
 

21


SJI groups its nonutility operations into two categories: Energy Group and Energy Services. Energy Group includes wholesale energy, retail gas and other, and retail electric operations. Energy Services includes 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):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Operating Revenues:
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
$
196,814

 
$
187,766

Energy Group:
 
 
 
     Wholesale Energy Operations
127,517

 
65,074

Retail Gas and Other Operations
36,878

 
29,733

Retail Electric Operations
48,957

 
39,491

     Subtotal Energy Group
213,352

 
134,298

Energy Services:
 
 
 
On-Site Energy Production
19,612

 
16,321

Appliance Service Operations
1,658

 
1,888

Subtotal Energy Services
21,270

 
18,209

Corporate and Services
11,596

 
8,876

Subtotal
443,032

 
349,149

Intersegment Sales
(17,203
)
 
(16,114
)
Total Operating Revenues
$
425,829

 
$
333,035


22



 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Operating Income:
 

 
 

Gas Utility Operations
$
80,646

 
$
75,773

Energy Group:
 
 
 
     Wholesale Energy Operations
(11,626
)
 
38,244

Retail Gas and Other Operations
(1,667
)
 
(759
)
Retail Electric Operations
1,306

 
585

     Subtotal Energy Group
(11,987
)
 
38,070

Energy Services:
 
 
 
On-Site Energy Production
(1,969
)
 
(89
)
Appliance Service Operations
(72
)
 
44

  Subtotal Energy Services
(2,041
)
 
(45
)
Corporate and Services
1,068

 
455

Total Operating Income
$
67,686

 
$
114,253


 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization:
 

 
 

Gas Utility Operations
$
17,362

 
$
15,626

Energy Group:
 
 
 
     Wholesale Energy Operations
28

 
204

Retail Gas and Other Operations
83

 
85

     Subtotal Energy Group
111

 
289

Energy Services:
 
 
 
On-Site Energy Production
11,593

 
9,919

Appliance Service Operations
54

 
84

  Subtotal Energy Services
11,647

 
10,003

Corporate and Services
401

 
223

Total Depreciation and Amortization
$
29,521

 
$
26,141


 
 
 
Interest Charges:
 

 
 

Gas Utility Operations
$
5,878

 
$
4,787

Energy Group:
 
 
 
     Wholesale Energy Operations
3,059

 
64

Retail Gas and Other Operations
85

 
132

     Subtotal Energy Group
3,144

 
196

Energy Services:
 
 
 
On-Site Energy Production
5,814

 
3,462

Corporate and Services
5,241

 
3,452

Subtotal
20,077

 
11,897

Intersegment Borrowings
(3,332
)
 
(2,737
)
Total Interest Charges
$
16,745

 
$
9,160



23


 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Income Taxes:
 

 
 

Gas Utility Operations
$
29,911

 
$
27,404

Energy Group:
 
 
 
     Wholesale Energy Operations
(6,319
)
 
14,737

Retail Gas and Other Operations
(447
)
 
(168
)
Retail Electric Operations
535

 
239

     Subtotal Energy Group
(6,231
)
 
14,808

Energy Services:
 
 
 
On-Site Energy Production
(3,069
)
 
(3,012
)
Appliance Service Operations
(17
)
 
26

  Subtotal Energy Services
(3,086
)
 
(2,986
)
Corporate and Services
1,276

 
41

Total Income Taxes
$
21,870

 
$
39,267

 
 
 
 
Property Additions:
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
$
62,280

 
$
51,370

Energy Group:
 
 
 
     Wholesale Energy Operations
3

 
6

Retail Gas and Other Operations
295

 
371

     Subtotal Energy Group
298

 
377

Energy Services:
 
 
 
On-Site Energy Production
7,349

 
2,651

Appliance Service Operations
6

 
101

  Subtotal Energy Services
7,355

 
2,752

Corporate and Services
245

 
163

Total Property Additions
$
70,178

 
$
54,662


 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Identifiable Assets:
 
 
 
Gas Utility Operations
$
2,627,416

 
$
2,551,923

Energy Group:
 
 
 
     Wholesale Energy Operations
193,181

 
233,019

Retail Gas and Other Operations
50,515

 
52,729

Retail Electric Operations
37,827

 
41,280

     Subtotal Energy Group
281,523

 
327,028

Energy Services:
 
 
 
On-Site Energy Production
746,728

 
767,710

Appliance Service Operations
2,269

 
2,879

Subtotal Energy Services
748,997

 
770,589

Discontinued Operations
1,749

 
1,756

Corporate and Services
644,046

 
649,795

Intersegment Assets
(556,379
)
 
(570,524
)
Total Identifiable Assets
$
3,747,352

 
$
3,730,567



24


7.
RATES AND REGULATORY ACTIONS:

SJG is subject to the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU).

In January 2017, SJG filed a base rate case with the BPU to increase its base rates in order to obtain a return on new capital investments made by SJG since the settlement of its last base rate case in 2014. SJG expects the base rate case to be concluded during 2017.

Also in January 2017, the BPU issued an order approving SJG’s request to extend the expiration date of its Energy Efficiency Programs (EEPs) from August 2017 to December 2018, without any modification to the programs or the amount of the previously authorized budget of $36.3 million, inclusive of operation and maintenance expenses.

There have been no other significant regulatory actions or changes to SJG's rate structure since December 31, 2016. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Note 3 to the Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

8.
REGULATORY ASSETS AND REGULATORY LIABILITIES:

There have been no significant changes to the nature of SJG’s regulatory assets and liabilities since December 31, 2016, which are described in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Note 4 to the Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. SJI has no regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities other than those of SJG.

SJI's and SJG's Regulatory Assets consisted of the following items (in thousands):

 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Environmental Remediation Costs:
 
 
 
Expended - Net
$
79,206

 
$
71,997

Liability for Future Expenditures
157,577

 
153,047

Deferred Asset Retirement Obligation Costs
43,100

 
43,014

Deferred Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs
85,693

 
85,693

Conservation Incentive Program Receivable
30,977

 
27,567

Deferred Interest Rate Contracts
7,085

 
7,365

Energy Efficiency Tracker
40

 
219

Pipeline Supplier Service Charges
1,738

 
2,122

Pipeline Integrity Cost
4,617

 
4,810

AFUDC - Equity Related Deferrals
12,395

 
12,434

Other Regulatory Assets
2,562

 
2,478

 
 
 
 
Total Regulatory Assets
$
424,990

 
$
410,746


ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS - SJG has two regulatory assets associated with environmental costs related to the cleanup of 12 sites where SJG or its predecessors previously operated gas manufacturing plants. The first asset, "Environmental Remediation Cost: Expended - Net," represents what was actually spent to clean up the sites, less recoveries through the Remediation Adjustment Clause (RAC) and insurance carriers. These costs meet the deferral requirements of GAAP, as the BPU allows SJG to recover such expenditures through the RAC. The other asset, "Environmental Remediation Cost: Liability for Future Expenditures," relates to estimated future expenditures required to complete the remediation of these sites. SJG recorded this estimated amount as a regulatory asset with the corresponding current and noncurrent liabilities on the balance sheets under the captions "Current Liabilities" (both SJI and SJG), "Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities" (SJI) and "Regulatory and Other Noncurrent Liabilities" (SJG). The BPU allows SJG to recover the deferred costs over seven-year periods after they are spent. The increase from December 31, 2016 is a result of expenditures made during the first three months of 2017 and an increase in the expected future expenditures for remediation activities, primarily due to an increase in contractor costs at two of the sites currently under remediation.

25




CONSERVATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM (CIP) RECEIVABLE – The CIP tracking mechanism adjusts earnings when actual usage per customer experienced during the period varies from an established baseline usage per customer. Actual usage per customer was less than the established baseline during the first three months of 2017, resulting in an increase in the receivable. This is primarily the result of warm weather experienced in the region.

SJI's and SJG's Regulatory Liabilities consisted of the following items (in thousands):

 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Excess Plant Removal Costs
$
27,143

 
$
28,226

Deferred Revenues - Net
10,087

 
17,800

Societal Benefit Costs
78

 
3,095

 
 
 
 
Total Regulatory Liabilities
$
37,308

 
$
49,121

 
DEFERRED REVENUES - NET - Over/under collections of gas costs are monitored through SJG's Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) mechanism. Net under collected gas costs are classified as a regulatory asset and net over collected gas costs are classified as a regulatory liability. Derivative contracts used to hedge natural gas purchases are also included in the BGSS, subject to BPU approval. The BGSS regulatory liability decreased from December 31, 2016 primarily due to an unfavorable court ruling related to a pricing dispute between SJG and a supplier (see Notes 11 and 16), partially offset by the gas costs recovered from customers exceeding the actual cost of the commodity.

SOCIETAL BENEFIT COSTS (SBC) - This regulatory liability primarily represents the excess recoveries over the expenses incurred under the New Jersey Clean Energy Program, which is a mechanism designed to recover costs associated with energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. Previous SBC rates produced recoveries greater than SBC costs, which resulted in the regulatory liability. The decrease in the liability from December 31, 2016 is due to an increase in rates.




26


9.
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS:

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, net periodic benefit cost related to the employee and officer pension and other postretirement benefit plans for SJI consisted of the following components (in thousands):
 
Pension Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017

2016
Service Cost
$
1,382

 
$
1,315

Interest Cost
2,955

 
3,000

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(3,524
)
 
(3,380
)
Amortizations:
 
 
 

Prior Service Cost
33

 
53

Actuarial Loss
2,613

 
2,309

Net Periodic Benefit Cost
3,459

 
3,297

Capitalized Benefit Cost
(1,271
)
 
(1,187
)
   Deferred Benefit Cost
(161
)
 
(161
)
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense
$
2,027

 
$
1,949


 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017

2016
Service Cost
$
247

 
$
230

Interest Cost
601

 
653

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(853
)
 
(776
)
Amortizations:
 
 
 

Prior Service Cost
(86
)
 
(86
)
Actuarial Loss
312

 
294

Net Periodic Benefit Cost
221

 
315

Capitalized Benefit Cost
(55
)
 
(101
)
Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense
$
166

 
$
214


During both of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Pension Benefits Net Periodic Benefit Cost incurred by SJG was approximately $2.5 million of the totals presented in the table above. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Other Postretirement Benefits Net Periodic Benefit Cost incurred by SJG was approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of the totals presented in the table above.

Capitalized benefit costs reflected in the table above relate to SJG’s construction program. Deferred benefit costs relate to SJG's deferral of incremental expense associated with the adoption of new mortality tables effective December 31, 2014, and subsequent adjustments thereto in both 2015 and 2016. Deferred benefit costs are expected to be recovered through rates as part of SJG's next base rate case.

SJI contributed $10.0 million to the pension plans, of which SJG contributed $8.0 million, in January 2017. No contributions were made to the pension plans by either SJI or SJG during the three months ended March 31, 2016. SJI and SJG do not expect to make any additional contributions to the pension plans in 2017; however, changes in future investment performance and discount rates may ultimately result in a contribution. Payments related to the unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) are expected to approximate $2.5 million in 2017. SJG also has a regulatory obligation to contribute approximately $3.6 million annually to the other postretirement benefit plans’ trusts, less direct costs incurred.


27


See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for additional information related to SJI’s pension and other postretirement benefits and Note 11 to the Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJG’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for additional information related to SJG’s pension and other postretirement benefits.

10.
LINES OF CREDIT:
 
Credit facilities and available liquidity as of March 31, 2017 were as follows (in thousands):

Company
 
Total Facility
 
Usage
 
Available Liquidity
 
Expiration Date
SJI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facilities
 
$
450,000

 
$
209,900

(A)
$
240,100

 
August 2017; February 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total SJI
 
450,000

 
209,900

 
240,100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SJG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Paper Program/Revolving Credit Facility
 
200,000

 
800

(B)
199,200

 
May 2018
Uncommitted Bank Line
 
10,000

 

 
10,000

 
August 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total SJG
 
210,000

 
800

 
209,200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
660,000

 
$
210,700


$
449,300

 
 


(A) Includes letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $4.8 million.

(B) Includes letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $0.8 million.

The SJG facilities are restricted as to use and availability specifically to SJG; however, if necessary, the SJI facilities can also be used to support SJG’s liquidity needs. Borrowings under these credit facilities are at market rates. SJI's weighted average interest rate on these borrowings, which changes daily, was 1.98% and 1.34% at March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. SJG's weighted average interest rate on these borrowings, which changes daily, was 1.15% and 0.69% at March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

SJI's average borrowings outstanding under these credit facilities (which includes SJG), not including letters of credit, during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $287.9 million and $394.6 million, respectively. The maximum amounts outstanding under these credit facilities, not including letters of credit, during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $354.1 million and $467.7 million, respectively.

SJG's average borrowings outstanding under its credit facilities during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $34.7 million and $88.4 million, respectively. The maximum amounts outstanding under its credit facilities during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $110.1 million and $141.7 million, respectively.

The SJI and SJG facilities are provided by a syndicate of banks and contain one financial covenant limiting the ratio of indebtedness to total capitalization (as defined in the respective credit agreements) to not more than 0.65 to 1, measured at the end of each fiscal quarter. SJI and SJG were in compliance with this covenant as of March 31, 2017.


28


SJG has a commercial paper program under which SJG may issue short-term, unsecured promissory notes to qualified investors up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding at any time of $200.0 million. The notes have fixed maturities which vary by note, but may not exceed 270 days from the date of issue. Proceeds from the notes are used for general corporate purposes. SJG uses the commercial paper program in tandem with its $200.0 million revolving credit facility and does not expect the principal amount of borrowings outstanding under the commercial paper program and the credit facility at any time to exceed an aggregate of $200.0 million.

11.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

GUARANTEES — As of March 31, 2017, SJI had issued $7.5 million of parental guarantees on behalf of an unconsolidated subsidiary. These guarantees generally expire within the next two years and were issued to enable the subsidiary to market retail natural gas.

GAS SUPPLY CONTRACTS - In the normal course of business, SJG and SJRG have entered into long-term contracts for natural gas supplies, firm transportation and gas storage service. The transportation and storage service agreements with interstate pipeline suppliers were made under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved tariffs. SJG's cumulative obligation for gas supply-related demand charges and reservation fees paid to suppliers for these services averages approximately $5.3 million per month and is recovered on a current basis through the BGSS. SJRG's cumulative obligation for demand charges and reservation fees paid to suppliers for these services is approximately $0.5 million per month. SJRG has also committed to purchase a minimum of 745,000 dts/d and up to 940,000 dts/d of natural gas, from various suppliers, for terms ranging from 3 to 10 years at index-based prices.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS — Unionized personnel represent approximately 44% and 60% of SJI's and SJG's workforce at March 31, 2017, respectively. SJI has collective bargaining agreements with two unions that represent these employees: the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1293 and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 76. SJG and SJESP employees represented by the IBEW operate under collective bargaining agreements that run through February 2018. SJG's remaining unionized employees are represented by the IAM and operate under collective bargaining agreements that run through August 2017.

STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT — As of March 31, 2017, SJI provided $4.8 million of standby letters of credit through its revolving credit facility to enable SJE to market retail electricity and for various construction and operating activities. SJG provided a $0.8 million letter of credit under its revolving credit facility to support the remediation of environmental conditions at certain locations in SJG's service territory. SJG and Marina have provided $25.2 million and $62.3 million, respectively, of additional letters of credit under separate facilities outside of the revolving credit facilities to support variable-rate demand bonds issued through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to finance the expansion of SJG’s natural gas distribution system and to finance Marina's initial thermal plant project, respectively. In May 2017, Marina redeemed its variable-rate demand bonds (see Note 16) and the related letters of credit reimbursement agreements were terminated.

PENDING LITIGATION — SJI and SJG are subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of business and other legal proceedings.  SJI has been named in, among other actions, certain gas supply and capacity management contract disputes and certain product liability claims related to our former sand mining subsidiary. 

SJI is currently involved in a pricing dispute related to two long-term gas supply contracts whereby SJI had sued the supplier to recover amounts that were improperly invoiced. Subsequently, the supplier countersued SJI claiming it is owed an amount which we extrapolate to be $15.0 million from SJG, plus interest, and $40.6 million from SJRG, plus interest, through March 31, 2017. SJI has since dropped its lawsuit against the supplier. We believe any monies paid associated with the SJG claims would reflect gas costs that would be recovered from SJG's customers through adjusted rates (see Note 16 for an update to this litigation).

SJI is also involved in a dispute in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia related to a three-year capacity management contract with a counterparty whereby SJI is the manager. The counterparty is claiming that it is owed approximately $13.3 million, plus interest, from SJRG under a sharing credit within the contract. Litigation is currently expected to start in June 2017.
Liabilities related to claims are accrued when the amount or range of amounts of probable settlement costs or other charges for these claims can be reasonably estimated. For matters other than the pricing dispute noted above, SJI has accrued approximately $3.2 million and $3.1 million related to all claims in the aggregate as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, of which SJG has accrued approximately $0.6 million as of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Although SJI and SJG do not presently believe that these matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, given the inherent uncertainties in such situations, SJI and SJG can provide no assurance regarding the outcome of litigation.


29


ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS — SJG incurred and recorded costs for environmental cleanup of 12 sites where SJG or its predecessors operated gas manufacturing plants. SJG stopped manufacturing gas in the 1950s. SJI and some of its nonutility subsidiaries also recorded costs for environmental cleanup of sites where SJF previously operated a fuel oil business and Morie maintained equipment, fueling stations and storage. Other than the changes discussed in Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, there have been no changes to the status of SJI’s environmental remediation efforts since December 31, 2016, as described in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and in Note 12 to the Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.


12.
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS:

Certain SJI subsidiaries, including SJG, are involved in buying, selling, transporting and storing natural gas and buying and selling retail electricity for their own accounts as well as managing these activities for third parties. These subsidiaries are subject to market risk on expected future purchases and sales due to commodity price fluctuations. SJI and SJG use a variety of derivative instruments to limit this exposure to market risk in accordance with strict corporate guidelines.  These derivative instruments include forward contracts, swap agreements, options contracts and futures contracts.

As of March 31, 2017, SJI had outstanding derivative contracts as follows (1 MMdts = one million decatherms; 1 MMmWh = one million megawatt hours): 
 
SJI Consolidated
SJG
Derivative contracts intended to limit exposure to market risk to:
 
 
    Expected future purchases of natural gas (in MMdts)
59.9

13.0

    Expected future sales of natural gas (in MMdts)
51.3

0.1

    Expected future purchases of electricity (in MMmWh)
1.7


    Expected future sales of electricity (in MMmWh)
1.3


 
 
 
Basis and Index related net purchase (sales) contracts (in MMdts)
108.2

(3.6
)

These contracts, which have not been designated as hedging instruments under GAAP, are measured at fair value and recorded in Derivatives - Energy Related Assets or Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets of SJI and SJG. For SJE and SJRG contracts, the net unrealized pre-tax gains for these energy-related commodity contracts included with realized gains in Operating Revenues – Nonutility on the condensed consolidated statements of income for SJI were $14.7 million and $18.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For SJG's contracts, the costs or benefits are recoverable through the BGSS clause, subject to BPU approval. As a result, the net unrealized pre-tax gains and losses for these energy-related commodity contracts are included with realized gains and losses in Regulatory Assets or Regulatory Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets of both SJI and SJG. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, SJG had $2.5 million of unrealized gains and $4.4 million of unrealized losses, respectively, along with a net realized gain of $0.8 million and a net realized loss of $2.8 million, respectively, included in its BGSS related to energy-related commodity contracts.

SJI, including SJG, has also entered into interest rate derivatives to hedge exposure to increasing interest rates and the impact of those rates on cash flows of variable-rate debt. These interest rate derivatives, some of which had been designated as hedging instruments under GAAP, are measured at fair value and recorded in Derivatives - Other on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Hedge accounting has been discontinued prospectively for these derivatives. As a result, any unrealized gains and losses on these derivatives, that were previously included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, are being recorded in earnings over the remaining life of the derivative.

In March 2017, SJI entered into a new interest rate derivative and amended the existing interest rate derivative linked to unrealized losses previously recorded in AOCL. SJI reclassified $2.4 million of pre-tax unrealized loss in AOCL to Interest Charges on the condensed consolidated statements of income as a result of the prior hedged transactions being deemed probable of not occurring.

For SJG interest rate derivatives, the fair value represents the amount SJG would have to pay the counterparty to terminate these contracts as of those dates.


30


SJG previously used derivative transactions known as “Treasury Locks” to hedge against the impact on its cash flows of possible interest rate increases on debt issued in September 2005. The initial $1.4 million cost of the Treasury Locks has been included in AOCL and is being amortized over the 30-year life of the associated debt issue. As of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the unamortized balance was approximately $0.9 million.

As of March 31, 2017, SJI’s active interest rate swaps were as follows:

Notional Amount
 
Fixed Interest Rate
 
Start Date
 
Maturity
 
Obligor
$
20,000,000

 
3.049%
 
3/15/2017
 
3/15/2027
 
SJI
$
20,000,000

 
3.049%
 
3/15/2017
 
3/15/2027
 
SJI
$
10,000,000

 
3.049%
 
3/15/2017
 
3/15/2027
 
SJI
$
12,500,000

 
3.530%
 
12/1/2006
 
2/1/2036
 
SJG
$
12,500,000

 
3.430%
 
12/1/2006
 
2/1/2036
 
SJG

The unrealized gains and losses on interest rate derivatives that are not designated as cash flow hedges are included in Interest Charges in the condensed consolidated statements of income. However, for selected interest rate derivatives at SJG, management believes that, subject to BPU approval, the market value upon termination can be recovered in rates and, therefore, these unrealized losses have been included in Other Regulatory Assets in the condensed balance sheets.

The fair values of all derivative instruments, as reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, are as follows (in thousands):

SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
Energy-related commodity contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives - Energy Related - Current
 
$
58,129

 
$
31,702

 
$
72,391

 
$
60,082

Derivatives - Energy Related - Non-Current
 
8,061

 
4,036

 
8,502

 
4,540

Interest rate contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Derivatives - Other - Current
 

 
738

 

 
681

Derivatives - Other - Noncurrent
 

 
10,017

 

 
9,349

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
 
$
66,190

 
$
46,493

 
$
80,893

 
$
74,652

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Derivatives
 
$
66,190

 
$
46,493

 
$
80,893

 
$
74,652




31


SJG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
Energy-related commodity contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related – Current
 
$
3,107

 
$
339

 
$
5,434

 
$
1,372

Derivatives – Energy Related – Non-Current
 

 
225

 
373

 

Interest rate contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Other Current
 

 
371

 

 
386

Derivatives – Other Noncurrent
 

 
6,714

 

 
6,979

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP
 
$
3,107

 
$
7,649

 
$
5,807

 
$
8,737

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Derivatives
 
$
3,107

 
$
7,649

 
$
5,807

 
$
8,737


SJI and SJG enter into derivative contracts with counterparties, some of which are subject to master netting arrangements, which allow net settlements under certain conditions. These derivatives are presented at gross fair values on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, information related to these offsetting arrangements were as follows (in thousands):
As of March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description
 
Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
 
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet
 
Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet
 
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet
 
Net amount
 
 
 
 
Financial Instruments
 
Cash Collateral Posted
 
SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries):
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets
 
$
66,190

 
$

 
$
66,190

 
$
(23,272
)
(A)
$
(293
)
 
$
42,625

Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities
 
$
(35,738
)
 
$

 
$
(35,738
)
 
$
23,272

(B)
$

 
$
(12,466
)
Derivatives - Other
 
$
(10,755
)
 
$

 
$
(10,755
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(10,755
)
SJG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets
 
$
3,107

 
$

 
$
3,107

 
$
(182
)
(A)
$
(293
)
 
$
2,632

Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities
 
$
(564
)
 
$

 
$
(564
)
 
$
182

(B)
$

 
$
(382
)
Derivatives - Other
 
$
(7,085
)
 
$

 
$
(7,085
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(7,085
)


32


As of December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description
 
Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities
 
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet
 
Net amounts of assets/liabilities in balance sheet
 
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet
 
Net amount
 
 
 
 
Financial Instruments
 
Cash Collateral Posted
 
SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries):
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets
 
$
80,893

 
$

 
$
80,893

 
$
(38,809
)
(A)
$
(3,474
)
 
$
38,610

Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities
 
$
(64,622
)
 
$

 
$
(64,622
)
 
$
38,809

(B)
$

 
$
(25,813
)
Derivatives - Other
 
$
(10,030
)
 
$

 
$
(10,030
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(10,030
)
SJG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives - Energy Related Assets
 
$
5,807

 
$

 
$
5,807

 
$
(6
)
(A)
$
(3,587
)
 
$
2,214

Derivatives - Energy Related Liabilities
 
$
(1,372
)
 
$

 
$
(1,372
)
 
$
6

(B)
$

 
$
(1,366
)
Derivatives - Other
 
$
(7,365
)
 
$

 
$
(7,365
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(7,365
)

(A) The balances at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were related to derivative liabilities which can be net settled against derivative assets.

(B) The balances at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were related to derivative assets which can be net settled against derivative liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows (in thousands):

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships under GAAP
 
2017
 
2016
SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries):
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
Losses reclassified from AOCL into income (a)
 
$
(2,487
)
 
$
(86
)
 
 
 
 
 
SJG:
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
Losses reclassified from AOCL into income (a)
 
$
(12
)
 
$
(12
)

(a) Included in Interest Charges

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under GAAP
 
2017
 
2016
SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries):
 
 
 
 
Gains on energy-related commodity contracts (a)
 
$
14,688

 
$
18,655

Losses on interest rate contracts (b)
 
(1,005
)
 
(427
)
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
13,683

 
$
18,228


(a)  Included in Operating Revenues - Nonutility
(b)  Included in Interest Charges

33



Certain of SJI’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions in the event of a material adverse change in the credit standing of SJI. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a liability position on March 31, 2017, is $5.0 million.  If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements were triggered on March 31, 2017, SJI would have been required to settle the instruments immediately or post collateral to its counterparties of approximately $2.8 million after offsetting asset positions with the same counterparties under master netting arrangements.

13.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

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.


34


For financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, information about the fair value measurements for each major category is as follows (in thousands):

As of March 31, 2017
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale Securities (A)
$
32

 
$
32

 
$

 
$

Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B)
66,190

 
13,219

 
22,311

 
30,660

 
$
66,222

 
$
13,251

 
$
22,311

 
$
30,660

SJG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B)
$
3,107

 
$
2,501

 
$
80

 
$
526

 
$
3,107

 
$
2,501

 
$
80

 
$
526

SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B)
$
35,738

 
$
6,256

 
$
15,056

 
$
14,426

Derivatives – Other (C)
10,755

 

 
10,755

 

 
$
46,493

 
$
6,256

 
$
25,811

 
$
14,426

SJG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B)
$
564

 
$
182

 
$
367

 
$
15

Derivatives – Other (C)
7,085

 

 
7,085

 

 
$
7,649

 
$
182

 
$
7,452

 
$
15


As of December 31, 2016
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale Securities (A)
$
32

 
$
32

 
$

 
$

Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B)
80,893

 
33,994

 
11,814

 
35,085

 
$
80,925

 
$
34,026

 
$
11,814

 
$
35,085

SJG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related Assets (B)
$
5,807

 
$
4,767

 
$

 
$
1,040

 
$
5,807

 
$
4,767

 
$

 
$
1,040

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B)
$
64,622

 
$
16,502

 
$
22,070

 
$
26,050

Derivatives – Other (C)
10,030

 

 
10,030

 

 
$
74,652

 
$
16,502

 
$
32,100

 
$
26,050

SJG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives – Energy Related Liabilities (B)
$
1,372

 
$
6

 
$
1,252

 
$
114

Derivatives – Other (C)
7,365

 

 
7,365

 

 
$
8,737

 
$
6

 
$
8,617

 
$
114



35


(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.

(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 forward contracts, 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.

The following table provides quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs in Level 3 fair value measurements (in thousands):

SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries):

Type
Fair Value at March 31, 2017
Valuation Technique
Significant Unobservable Input
Range
[Weighted Average]
 
 
Assets
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Forward Contract - Natural Gas
$22,303
$10,508
Discounted Cash Flow
Forward price (per dt)

$1.59 - $9.00 [$2.70]
(A)
Forward Contract - Electric


$8,357
$3,918
Discounted Cash Flow
Fixed electric load profile (on-peak)
36.36%- 100.00% [54.88%]
(B)
Fixed electric load profile (off-peak)
0.00% - 63.64% [45.12%]
(B)


36


Type
Fair Value at December 31, 2016
Valuation Technique
Significant Unobservable Input
Range
[Weighted Average]
 
 
Assets
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Forward Contract - Natural Gas
$23,301
$18,109
Discounted Cash Flow
Forward price (per dt)

$1.03 - $11.33 [$2.71]
(A)
Forward Contract - Electric


$11,784
$7,941
Discounted Cash Flow
Fixed electric load profile (on-peak)
21.43% - 100.00% [55.14%]
(B)
Fixed electric load profile (off-peak)
0.00% - 78.57% [44.86%]
(B)


SJG:
Type
Fair Value at March 31, 2017
Valuation Technique
Significant Unobservable Input
Range
[Weighted Average]
 
 
Assets
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Forward Contract - Natural Gas
$
526

$
15

Discounted Cash Flow
Forward price (per dt)
$2.54 - $5.69 [$3.87]
(A)


Type
Fair Value at December 31, 2016
Valuation Technique
Significant Unobservable Input
Range
[Weighted Average]
 

Assets
Liabilities



 
Forward Contract - Natural Gas
$
1,040

$
114

Discounted Cash Flow
Forward price (per dt)
$3.25 - $6.33 [$5.09]
(A)

(A) Represents the range, along with the weighted average, of forward prices for the sale and purchase of natural gas.

(B) Represents the range, along with the weighted average, of the percentage of contracted usage that is loaded during on-peak hours versus off-peak.



37


The changes in fair value measurements of Derivatives – Energy Related Assets and Liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), are as follows (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2016
SJI (includes SJG and all other consolidated subsidiaries):
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
9,035

 
$
(632
)
Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net
(988
)
 
10,015

Settlements
8,187

 
3,858

 
 
 
 
Balance at end of period
$
16,234

 
$
13,241

 
 
 
 
SJG:
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
926

 
$
183

Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net
511

 
(4
)
Settlements
(926
)
 
(183
)
 
 
 
 
Balance at end of period
$
511

 
$
(4
)

Total (losses) gains included in earnings for SJI for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 that are attributable to the change in unrealized (losses) gains relating to those assets and liabilities included in Level 3 still held as of March 31, 2017 and 2016, are $(1.0) million and $10.0 million, respectively.  These (losses) gains are included in Operating Revenues-Nonutility on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

14.
LONG-TERM DEBT:

In January 2017, SJG issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of Medium Term Notes (MTN's), Series E, 2017, due January 2047, with principal payments beginning in 2025. The MTN's bear interest at an annual rate of 3.0%, payable semiannually. Proceeds were used to pay down SJG's $200.0 million multiple-draw term facility which was set to expire in June 2017.
In January 2017, SJG entered into an unsecured, $200.0 million multiple-draw term loan credit agreement (Credit Agreement), which is syndicated among seven banks. Term loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a variable base rate or a variable LIBOR rate, at SJG's election. Under the Credit Agreement, SJG can borrow up to an aggregate of $200.0 million until July 2018, of which SJG borrowed $73.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017. All loans under the Credit Agreement become due in January 2019.
SJI and SJG did not issue or retire any other long-term debt during the three months ended March 31, 2017.



38



15.
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:

The following table summarizes the changes in SJI's accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Postretirement Liability Adjustment
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives-Other
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of Affiliated Companies
Total
Balance at January 1, 2017 (a)
$
(25,342
)
$
(1,932
)
$
(10
)
$
(97
)
$
(27,381
)
   Other comprehensive income before reclassifications





   Amounts reclassified from AOCL (b)

1,515



1,515

Net current period other comprehensive income

1,515



1,515

Balance at March 31, 2017 (a)
$
(25,342
)
$
(417
)
$
(10
)
$
(97
)
$
(25,866
)

(a) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40%. (b) See table below.

The following table provides details about reclassifications out of SJI's AOCL for the three months ended March 31, 2017 (in thousands):

Components of AOCL
Amounts Reclassified from AOCL
Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
 
Unrealized Loss on Derivatives-Other - interest rate contracts designated as cash flow hedges
$
2,487

 
Interest Charges
   Income Taxes
(972
)
 
Income Taxes (a)
Losses from reclassifications for the period net of tax
$
1,515

 
 

(a) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40%.


39


The following table summarizes the changes in SJG's AOCL for the three months ended March 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Postretirement Liability Adjustment
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives-Other
 
Total
Balance at January 1, 2017 (a)
$
(14,417
)
 
$
(517
)
 
$
(14,934
)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

 

 

   Amounts reclassified from AOCL (b)

 
7

 
7

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

 
7

 
7

Balance at March 31, 2017 (a)
$
(14,417
)
 
$
(510
)
 
$
(14,927
)

(a) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40%.
(b) See table below.

The reclassifications out of SJG's AOCL during the three months ended March 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands):

Components of AOCL
 
Amounts Reclassified from AOCL
Affected Line Item in the Condensed Statements of Income
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
 
Unrealized Loss in on Derivatives - Other - Interest Rate Contracts designated as cash flow hedges
 
$
12

 
Interest Charges
Income Taxes
 
(5
)
 
Income Taxes (a)
Losses from reclassifications for the period net of tax
 
$
7

 
 

(a) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40%.





16.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

Effective May 1, 2017, Marina voluntarily redeemed three series of bonds issued by NJEDA in an aggregate principal amount of $61.4 million, as follows:  Thermal Energy Facilities Revenue Bonds (Marina Energy LLC - 2001 Project) Series A ($20.0 million); Thermal Energy Facilities Federally Taxable Revenue Bonds (Marina Energy LLC - 2001 Project) Series B ($25.0 million); and Thermal Energy Facilities Revenue Bonds (Marina Energy LLC Project) Series 2006A ($16.4 million).  In connection with the redemptions, three separate, related letter of credit reimbursement agreements were terminated. 

On May 8, 2017, the District Court ruled in favor of the supplier with regard to the pricing dispute between SJI and the supplier, as discussed in the Pending Litigation section of Note 11. Under this ruling, SJG and SJRG are responsible for paying the supplier $16.2 million and $44.0 million, respectively. We believe that the amount to be paid by SJG reflects a gas cost and will be recovered from SJG’s customers through adjusted rates. As such, this amount was recorded as both an Accounts Payable and a reduction of Regulatory Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets of both SJI and SJG as of March 31, 2017. The amount associated with SJRG was also recorded as an Accounts Payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets of SJI as of March 31, 2017, with charges of $40.6 million to Cost of Sales - Nonutility and $3.4 million to Interest Charges on the condensed consolidated statements of income of SJI for the three months ended March 31, 2017. SJI is considering its options to appeal.


40


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Introduction

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Management's Discussion) is divided into the following two major sections:

SJI - This section describes the financial condition and results of operations of South Jersey Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. It includes discussions of our regulated operations, including SJG, and our non-regulated operations.
SJG - This section describes the financial condition and results of operations of SJG, a subsidiary of SJI, which comprises the gas utility operations segment.

Both sections of Management's Discussion - SJI and SJG - are designed to provide an understanding of the company's respective operations and financial performance and should be read in conjunction with each other as well as in conjunction with the respective company's financial statements and the combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report as well as SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and SJG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Except where the content clearly indicates otherwise, "SJI," "the Company," "we," "us" or "our" refers to South Jersey Industries, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.

Unless otherwise noted, earnings per share amounts are presented on a diluted basis, and are based on weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding. SJI's and SJG's operations are seasonal and accordingly, operating results for the interim periods presented are not indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors — This Quarterly Report, including information incorporated by reference, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding future results of operations or financial position, expected sources of incremental margin, strategy, financing needs, future capital expenditures and the outcome or effect of ongoing litigation, are forward-looking. This Quarterly Report uses words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "objective," "plan," "project," "seek," "strategy," "target," "will" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management at the time that these statements were made and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions on an international, national, state and local level; weather conditions in SJI’s marketing areas; changes in commodity costs; changes in the availability of natural gas; “non-routine” or “extraordinary” disruptions in SJI’s distribution system; regulatory, legislative and court decisions; competition; the availability and cost of capital; costs and effects of legal proceedings and environmental liabilities; the failure of customers, suppliers or business partners to fulfill their contractual obligations; and changes in business strategies.
These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, are described in greater detail under the heading “Item 1A. Risk factors” in this Quarterly Report, SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, SJG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and in any other SEC filings made by SJI or SJG during 2017 and prior to the filing of this Quarterly Report. No assurance can be given that any goal or plan set forth in any forward-looking statement can or will be achieved, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. SJI and SJG undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Critical Accounting Policies — Estimates and Assumptions — Management must make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Five types of transactions presented in our condensed consolidated financial statements require a significant amount of judgment and estimation. These relate to regulatory accounting, derivatives, environmental remediation costs, pension and other postretirement employee benefit costs, and revenue recognition. A discussion of these estimates and assumptions may be found in SJI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and SJG's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.


41


New Accounting Pronouncements — See detailed discussions concerning New Accounting Pronouncements and their impact on SJI and SJG in Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Regulatory Actions — Other than the changes discussed in Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, there have been no significant regulatory actions since December 31, 2016. See detailed discussion concerning Regulatory Actions in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Note 3 to the Financial Statements in item 8 of SJG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Environmental Remediation — Other than the changes discussed in Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, there have been no significant changes to the status of SJI’s and SJG's environmental remediation efforts since December 31, 2016. See detailed discussion concerning Environmental Remediation Costs in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Note 12 to the Financial Statements in item 8 of SJG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Operating Segments:

SJI operates in several different reportable operating segments. These segments are as follows:

Gas utility operations (SJG) consist primarily of natural gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers. The result of SJG are only included in this operating segment.
Wholesale energy operations include the activities of South Jersey Resources Group, LLC (SJRG) and South Jersey Exploration, LLC (SJEX).
South Jersey Energy Company (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, industrial and residential customers.
On-site energy production consists of the thermal energy facility of Marina Energy, LLC (Marina) and other energy-related projects. Also included in this segment are the activities of ACB Energy Partners, LLC (ACB), AC Landfill Energy, LLC (ACLE), BC Landfill Energy, LLC (BCLE), SC Landfill Energy, LLC (SCLE), SX Landfill Energy, LLC (SXLE), MCS Energy Partners, LLC (MCS), NBS Energy Partners, LLC (NBS) and SBS Energy Partners, LLC (SBS).
Appliance service operations includes South Jersey Energy Service Plus, LLC (SJESP), which 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 (Midstream) was formed to invest in infrastructure and other midstream projects, including a current project to build a natural gas pipeline in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The activities of Midstream are a part of the Corporate and Services segment.
 
SJI groups its nonutility operations into two categories: Energy Group and Energy Services. Energy Group includes wholesale energy, retail gas and other, and retail electric operations. Energy Services includes on-site energy production and appliance service operations.


42




SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

Summary:

SJI's net income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased $30.4 million to $37.7 million compared with the same period in 2016, primarily as a result of the following:

The net income contribution from the wholesale energy operations at SJRG for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased $31.9 million to a loss of $8.4 million, primarily due to a $26.4 million decrease resulting from an unfavorable court ruling related to a pricing dispute between SJRG and a supplier (see Notes 11 and 16 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Also contributing was a $2.8 million decrease resulting from the change in unrealized gains and losses on derivatives used by the wholesale energy operations to mitigate natural gas commodity price risk, as discussed under "Operating Revenues - Energy Group" below, along with a $2.7 million decrease related to lower capacity and warmer weather conditions as discussed under "Gross Margin - Energy Group" below.

The net income contribution from on-site energy production at Marina for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased $4.4 million to a net loss of $4.4 million. This was primarily due to the impact of recording no investment tax credits on renewable energy facilities in the first quarter of 2017, compared with $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2016, which is consistent with SJI's previously announced strategy of substantially reducing solar development. Also contributing to this decrease was a $1.6 million decrease related to the change in unrealized gains and losses on interest rate derivative contracts, as well as an overall increase in operating expenses.

The net income contribution from gas utility operations at SJG for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased $2.1 million to $46.5 million primarily due to customer additions and contributions from investments under accelerated infrastructure programs.

The net income contribution from Midstream for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased $2.0 million to $2.0 million primarily due to capitalization of Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) at PennEast, of which Midstream has a 20% equity interest.

SJI recognized an additional gain of $1.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 related to the sale of real estate.

A significant portion of the volatility in operating results is due to the impact of the accounting methods associated with SJI’s derivative activities. SJI uses derivatives to limit its exposure to market risk on transactions to buy, sell, transport and store natural gas and to buy and sell retail electricity. SJI also uses derivatives to limit its exposure to increasing interest rates on variable-rate debt.

The types of transactions that cause the most significant volatility in operating results are as follows:

The wholesale energy operations at SJRG purchases and holds natural gas in storage and maintains capacity on interstate pipelines to earn profit margins in the future. The wholesale energy operations utilize derivatives to mitigate commodity price risk in order to substantially lock-in the profit margin that will ultimately be realized. However, both gas stored in inventory and pipeline capacity are not considered derivatives and are not subject to fair value accounting. Conversely, the derivatives used to reduce the risk associated with a change in the value of inventory and pipeline capacity are accounted for at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in operating results in the period of change. As a result, earnings are subject to volatility as the market price of derivatives change, even when the underlying hedged value of inventory and pipeline capacity are unchanged. Additionally, volatility in earnings is created when realized gains and losses on derivatives used to mitigate commodity price risk on expected future purchases of gas injected into storage are recognized in earnings when the derivatives settle, but the cost of the related gas in storage is not recognized in earnings until the period of withdrawal. This volatility can be significant from period to period. Over time, gains or losses on the sale of gas in storage, as well as use of capacity, will be offset by losses or gains on the derivatives, resulting in the realization of the profit margin expected when the transactions were initiated.

43



The retail electric operations at SJE use forward contracts to mitigate commodity price risk on fixed price electric contracts with customers. In accordance with GAAP, the forward contracts are recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings in the period of change. Several related customer contracts are not considered derivatives and, therefore, are not recorded in earnings until the electricity is delivered. As a result, earnings are subject to volatility as the market price of the forward contracts change, even when the underlying hedged value of the customer contract is unchanged. Over time, gains or losses on the sale of the fixed price electric under contract will be offset by losses or gains on the forward contracts, resulting in the realization of the profit margin expected when the transactions were initiated.

As a result, management also uses the non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP) financial measures of Economic Earnings and Economic Earnings per share when evaluating the results of operations for its nonutility operations. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures, such as net income, operating income, earnings per share from continuing operations or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.

We define Economic Earnings as: Income from continuing operations, (a) less the change in unrealized gains and plus the change in unrealized losses, as applicable and in each case after tax, on all derivative transactions; (b) less realized gains and plus realized losses, as applicable and in each case after tax, on all commodity derivative transactions attributed to expected purchases of gas in storage to match the recognition of these gains and losses with the recognition of the related cost of the gas in storage in the period of withdrawal; and (c) less the impact of transactions or contractual arrangements where the true economic impact will be realized in a future period; and (d) as adjusted by the impact of a May 2017 jury verdict stemming from a pricing dispute with a gas supplier over costs. With respect to the third part of the definition of Economic Earnings:

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, Economic Earnings excludes an approximately $2.4 million pre-tax loss related to a new interest rate derivative and amendments made to an existing interest rate derivative linked to unrealized losses previously recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL). SJI reclassified this amount from AOCL to Interest Charges on the condensed consolidated statements of income as a result of the prior hedged transactions being deemed probable of not occurring. Since the economic impact will not be realized until future periods, this amount is excluded from Economic Earnings. See Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, Economic Earnings excludes an approximately $0.3 million pre-tax charge incurred related to an impairment charge due to a reduction in the expected cash flows to be received from a solar generating facility, for which the economic impact will not be realized until a future period. See Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, Economic Earnings includes additional depreciation expense on a solar generating facility. During 2012, an impairment charge was recorded within Income from Continuing Operations on a solar generating facility which reduced its depreciable basis and recurring depreciation expense. This impairment charge was excluded from Economic Earnings and, therefore, the related reduction in depreciation expense is being added back.

Economic Earnings is a significant performance metric used by our management to indicate the amount and timing of income from continuing operations that we expect to earn after taking into account the impact of derivative instruments on the related transactions, and transactions or contractual arrangements where the true economic impact will be realized in a future period or was realized in a previous period. Specifically regarding derivatives, we believe that this financial measure indicates to investors the profitability of the entire derivative related transaction and not just the portion that is subject to mark-to-market valuation under GAAP. Considering only the change in market value on the derivative side of the transaction can produce a false sense as to the ultimate profitability of the total transaction as no change in value is reflected for the non-derivative portion of the transaction.

Economic Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased $0.6 million to $57.6 million compared with the same period in 2016, primarily as a result of the following:

The income contribution from gas utility operations at SJG for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased $2.1 million to $46.5 million primarily due to customer additions and contributions from investments under accelerated infrastructure programs.


44


The income contribution from Midstream for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased $2.0 million to $2.0 million primarily due to capitalization of AFUDC at PennEast, of which Midstream has a 20% equity interest.

SJI recognized an additional gain of $1.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 related to the sale of real estate.

The income contribution from the wholesale energy operations at SJRG for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased $2.7 million to $9.1 million primarily due to lower capacity and warmer weather conditions as discussed under "Gross Margin - Energy Group" below.

The income contribution from on-site energy production at Marina for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased $2.8 million to a net loss of $2.4 million. This was primarily due to the impact of recording no investment tax credits on renewable energy facilities in the first quarter of 2017, compared with $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2016, which is consistent with SJI's previously announced strategy of substantially reducing solar development. Also contributing to this decrease was an overall increase in operating expenses.

The following table presents a reconciliation of SJI's income from continuing operations and earnings per share from continuing operations to Economic Earnings and Economic Earnings per share for the three months ended March 31 (in thousands, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Income from Continuing Operations
$
37,747

 
$
68,187

Minus/Plus:
 
 
 
Unrealized Mark-to-Market Gains on Derivatives*
(13,908
)
 
(18,612
)
Realized Losses on Inventory Injection Hedges*
332

 
3

Unrealized Loss on Dedesignated Interest Rate Contracts (A)
2,392

 

Unrealized Loss on Property, Plant and Equipment (B)
256

 

Other (C)*
(41
)
 
(41
)
Charge from a Legal Proceeding (D)
43,987

 

Income Taxes (E)
(13,207
)
 
7,460

Economic Earnings
$
57,558

 
$
56,997

 
 
 
 
Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations
$
0.47

 
$
0.95

Minus/Plus:
 
 
 
Unrealized Mark-to-Market Gains on Derivatives*
(0.18
)
 
(0.26
)
Unrealized Loss on Dedesignated Interest Rate Contracts (A)
0.03

 

Charge from a Legal Proceeding (D)
0.56

 

Income Taxes (E)
(0.16
)
 
0.11

Economic Earnings per Share
$
0.72

 
$
0.80



45


The effect of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP in the condensed consolidated statements of income (see Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements) is as follows (gains (losses) in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Gains on Energy Related Commodity Contracts
$
14,688

 
$
18,655

Losses on Interest Rate Contracts
(1,005
)
 
(427
)
                         Total before income taxes
13,683

 
18,228

Unrealized mark-to-market (losses) gains on derivatives held by affiliated companies, before taxes*
225

 
384

Total unrealized mark-to-market gains on derivatives*
13,908

 
18,612

Realized Losses on Inventory Injection Hedges*
(332
)
 
(3
)
Unrealized Loss on Dedesignated Interest Rate Contracts (A)
(2,392
)
 

Unrealized Loss on Property, Plant and Equipment (B)*
(256
)
 

Other (C)*
41

 
41

Charge from a Legal Proceeding (D)
(43,987
)
 

Income taxes (E)
13,207

 
(7,460
)
Total reconciling items between (losses) income from continuing operations and economic earnings
$
(19,811
)
 
$
11,190


* Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period numbers in these tables to conform to the current period presentation. The prior period numbers in these line items have been adjusted to be presented before income taxes.

(A) Represents a new interest rate derivative and amendments made to an existing interest rate derivative linked to unrealized losses previously recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCL). SJI reclassified this amount from AOCL to Interest Charges on the condensed consolidated statements of income as a result of the prior hedged transactions being deemed probable of not occurring. Since the economic impact will not be realized until future periods, this amount is excluded from Economic Earnings. See Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

(B) Represents an impairment charge recorded on a solar generating facility during the first quarter of 2017, for which the economic impact will not be realized until a future period. See Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

(C) Represents additional depreciation expense within Economic Earnings on a solar generating facility. During 2012, an impairment charge was recorded within Income from Continuing Operations on a solar generating facility which reduced its depreciable basis and recurring depreciation expense. This impairment charge was excluded from Economic Earnings and, therefore, the related reduction in depreciation expense is being added back.

(D) Represents a charge resulting from a ruling in a legal proceeding related to a pricing dispute between SJI and a gas supplier that began in October 2014. Since the charge relates to purchase transactions that occurred in prior periods, this amount is excluded from Economic Earnings. 

(E) Determined using a combined average statutory tax rate of 40%.


46


Gas Utility Operations:

The following tables summarize the composition of gas utility operations operating revenues and margin for the three months ended March 31 (in thousands, except for degree day data):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Utility Operating Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Firm Sales -
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
114,592

 
$
117,782

 
Commercial
25,640

 
22,145

 
Industrial
1,820

 
1,378

 
Cogeneration & Electric Generation
787

 
746

 
Firm Transportation -
 
 
 
 
Residential
6,205

 
6,493

 
Commercial
12,785

 
12,478

 
Industrial
4,810

 
5,330

 
Cogeneration & Electric Generation
1,180

 
1,509

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Firm Revenues
167,819

 
167,861

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interruptible Sales

 
18

 
Interruptible Transportation
239

 
332

 
Off-System Sales
26,778

 
13,488

 
Capacity Release
1,743

 
5,815

 
Other
235

 
252

 
 
196,814

 
187,766

 
Less: Intercompany Sales
(1,045
)
 
(4,097
)
 
Total Utility Operating Revenues
195,769

 
183,669

 
Less:
 
 
 

 
       Cost of Sales - Utility
72,424

 
69,303

 
       Less: Intercompany Cost of Sales
(1,045
)
 
(4,097
)
 
Total Cost of Sales - Utility (Excluding depreciation)
71,379

 
65,206

 
Conservation Recoveries*
2,548

 
5,101

 
RAC Recoveries*
2,501

 
2,298

 
EET Recoveries*
384

 
799

 
Revenue Taxes
439

 
361

 
Utility Margin**
$
118,518

 
$
109,904

 
 
 
 
 
 



47


 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Margin:
 

 
 

 
Residential
$
73,446

 
$
71,278

 
Commercial and Industrial
26,832

 
25,229

 
Cogeneration and Electric Generation
1,128

 
1,313

 
Interruptible
4

 
21

 
Off-System Sales & Capacity Release
1,956

 
1,681

 
Other Revenues
234

 
251

 
Margin Before Weather Normalization & Decoupling
103,600

 
99,773

 
CIP Mechanism
13,975

 
9,263

 
EET Mechanism
943

 
868

 
Utility Margin**
$
118,518

 
$
109,904

 
 
 
 
 
 
Degree Days:
2,157

 
2,216

 

*Represents expenses for which there is a corresponding credit in operating revenues.  Therefore, such recoveries have no impact on SJG's financial results.
**Utility Margin is further defined under the caption "Margin - Gas Utility Operations" below.

Operating Revenues - Gas Utility Operations - Revenues increased $9.0 million, or 4.8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with the same period in 2016. Excluding intercompany transactions, revenues increased $12.1 million, or 6.6%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with the same period in 2016.

Despite the moderate increase in Off-System Sales (OSS) volume discussed under "Throughput - Gas Utility Operations" in the SJG Management's Discussion section, a 68% increase in natural gas prices resulted in a total increase of $13.3 million in OSS revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with the same period in 2016. Capacity release revenue decreased $4.1 million as a result of specific releases to Transco Zone 5 at a relatively high value during the first quarter of 2016, which did not occur during the first quarter of 2017. However, the impact of changes in OSS and capacity release activity do not have a material impact on the earnings of SJG, as SJG is required to return 85% of the profits of such activity to its ratepayers. Earnings from OSS can be seen in the “Margin” table above.

Total firm revenue was relatively unchanged for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period last year, despite slightly lower sales and transportation throughput during the first quarter of 2017 due to warmer weather, as discussed under "Throughput - Gas Utility Operations" in the SJG Management's Discussion section. This lack of volatility between the two periods is the result of a BGSS bill credit of $20.0 million provided to customers in the first quarter of 2016, which lowered revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2016, even though weather was colder during that period. While changes in gas costs and BGSS recoveries/refunds fluctuate from period to period, SJG does not profit from the sale of the commodity. Therefore, fluctuations in Operating Revenue and Cost of Sales, such as those discussed above, did not have an impact on SJG’s net income.

Margin - Gas Utility Operations - SJG’s margin is defined as natural gas revenues less natural gas costs, regulatory rider expenses and related volumetric and revenue-based energy taxes. Management believes that margin provides a more meaningful basis for evaluating utility operations than revenues since natural gas costs, regulatory rider expenses and related energy taxes are passed through to customers and, therefore, have no effect on margin. Natural gas costs are charged to operating expenses on the basis of therm sales at the prices approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) through SJG’s BGSS clause.


48


Total margin increased $8.6 million, or 7.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. The rolling into base rates of Storm Hardening and Reliability Program (SHARP) investments contributed approximately $2.0 million of additional margin in the first quarter of 2017 compared with 2016. The Accelerated Infrastructure Replacement Programs(AIRP) contributed approximately $3.7 million of additional margin in the first quarter of 2017 compared with 2016. In addition, SJG added 5,266 customers over the 12-month period ended March 31, 2017, contributing approximately $1.8 million in additional margin for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.

The Conservation Incentive Program (CIP) tracking mechanism adjusts earnings when actual usage per customer experienced during the period varies from an established baseline usage per customer. As reflected in the margin table above and the CIP table in SJG's Management Discussion section, the CIP mechanism protected margin by $13.9 million, or $8.4 million after taxes, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily due to weather that was 13.2% warmer than normal and lower customer usage. The CIP mechanism protected $9.3 million, or $5.5 million after taxes, of margin for the three months ended March 31, 2016 that would have been lost due to weather that was warmer than average and lower customer usage.

Nonutility:

Operating Revenues - Energy Group -  Combined revenues for Energy Group, net of intercompany transactions, increased $79.0 million, or 59.7%, to $211.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.

Revenues from retail gas operations at SJE, net of intercompany transactions, increased $6.5 million, or 21.9%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. Excluding the change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts due to price volatility of $0.9 million, revenues increased $7.4 million, or 24.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.

A summary of SJE's retail gas revenue is as follows (in millions):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
SJE Retail Gas Revenue
$
36.1

 
$
29.6

 
$
6.5

Add: Unrealized Losses (Subtract: Unrealized Gains)
1.1

 
0.2

 
0.9

SJE Retail Gas Revenue, Excluding Unrealized Losses (Gains)
$
37.2

 
$
29.8

 
$
7.4


The increase in revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016 was mainly due to a 58.6% increase in the average monthly New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) settle price.

Revenues from retail electric operations at SJE, net of intercompany transactions, increased $9.5 million, or 24.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. Excluding the impact of the net change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts due to price volatility of $(0.8) million, revenues increased $8.7 million, or 22.4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.

A summary of revenues from retail electric operations at SJE is as follows (in millions):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
SJE Retail Electric Revenue
$
47.9

 
$
38.4

 
$
9.5

Add: Unrealized Losses (Subtract: Unrealized Gains)
(0.6
)
 
0.2

 
(0.8
)
SJE Retail Electric Revenue, Excluding Unrealized Losses (Gains)
$
47.3

 
$
38.6

 
$
8.7



49


The increase in revenues from retail electric operations at SJE, as defined above, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, was mainly due to a 17.0% increase in sales volumes, which was driven by additional electric contracts entered into during the fourth quarter of 2016, partially offset by a 35.2% decrease, in the average monthly sales price, which was driven by a lower average Locational Marginal Price (LMP) per megawatt hour. SJE uses forward financial contracts to mitigate commodity price risk on fixed price electric contracts. In accordance with GAAP, the forward financial contracts are recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings in the period of change. The related customer contracts are not considered derivatives and, therefore, are not recorded in earnings until the electricity is delivered. As a result, earnings are subject to volatility as the market price of the forward financial contracts change, even when the underlying hedged value of the customer contract is unchanged. Over time, gains or losses on the sale of the fixed price electric under contract will be offset by losses or gains on the forward financial contracts, resulting in the realization of the profit margin expected when the transactions were initiated. The retail electric operations at SJE serve both fixed and market-priced customers.

Revenues from wholesale energy operations at SJRG, net of intercompany transactions, increased $62.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. Excluding the impact of the net change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts due to price volatility of $3.9 million and adjusting for the change in realized gains and losses on all hedges attributed to inventory injection transactions of $0.3 million to align them with the related cost of inventory in the period of withdrawal, revenues from the wholesale energy operations at SJRG increased $66.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.

A summary of revenues from wholesale energy operations at SJRG is as follows (in millions):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
SJRG Revenue
$
127.4

 
$
65.1

 
$
62.3

Add: Unrealized Losses (Subtract: Unrealized Gains)
(15.2
)
 
(19.1
)
 
3.9

Add:  Realized Losses (Subtract: Realized Gains) on Inventory Injection Hedges
0.3

 

 
0.3

SJRG Revenue, Excluding Unrealized Losses (Gains) and  Realized Losses (Gains) on Inventory Injection Hedges
$
112.5

 
$
46.0

 
$
66.5


The increase in revenues from the wholesale energy operations at SJRG, as defined above, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, was primarily due to revenues earned on gas supply contracts with two electric generation facilities, along with a 58.6% increase in the average monthly NYMEX settle price. As discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, revenues and expenses related to the energy trading activities of the wholesale energy operations at SJRG are presented on a net basis in Operating Revenues – Nonutility on the condensed consolidated income statement.

Operating Revenues - Energy Services -  Combined revenues for Energy Services, net of intercompany transactions, increased $1.7 million, or 10.0%, to $18.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.
Revenues from on-site energy production at Marina, net of intercompany transactions, increased $1.9 million, or 12.8%, to $17.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, primarily due to an increase in solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) transferred as a result of more solar projects being online compared to the same period in 2016. Solar revenues, net of intercompany transactions, which is included in revenues from on-site energy production above, increased $1.8 million, or 24.7%, to $9.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.

SRECs represent the renewable energy attribute of the solar electricity generated, that can be sold to customers. Marina does not recognize revenue, or the related margin, until the SREC is certified and transferred to the customer’s electronic account. Customers may purchase SRECs to comply with solar requirements under various state renewable energy regulations. Approximately 73% of Marina’s solar production is in New Jersey.

Marina hedges a portion of its anticipated SREC production through the use of forward sales contracts. The hedged percentage of projected SREC production related to in-service assets in New Jersey is 94% and 84% for energy years ending May 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Installed capacity was 201 MW and 172 MW at March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

50



Revenues from appliance service operations at SJESP, net of intercompany transactions, did not change significantly for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.

Gross Margin - Nonutility -  Gross margin for the nonutility businesses is defined as revenue less all costs that are directly related to the production, sale and delivery of SJI’s products and services. These costs primarily include natural gas and electric commodity costs as well as certain payroll and related benefits. On the condensed consolidated statements of income, revenue is reflected in Operating Revenues - Nonutility and the costs are reflected in Cost of Sales - Nonutility. As discussed in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, revenues and expenses related to the energy trading activities of the wholesale energy operations at SJRG are presented on a net basis in Operating Revenues - Nonutility on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Gross Margin - Energy Group - Combined gross margins for Energy Group decreased $48.7 million to a loss of $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. These changes were primarily due to the following:

Gross margin from SJE’s retail gas and other operations decreased $0.5 million to $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. Excluding the change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts due to price volatility of $0.9 million, gross margin increased $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, which does not represent a significant change. Excluding the impact of the unrealized gains/losses discussed above, gross margin as a percentage of Operating Revenues did not change significantly for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.

Gross margin from SJE’s retail electric operations increased $0.8 million to $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. Excluding the impact of the net change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts due to price volatility of $(0.8) million, gross margin did not change significantly for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. Excluding the impact of the unrealized gains/losses discussed above, gross margin as a percentage of Operating Revenues did not change significantly for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.

Gross margin from the wholesale energy operations at SJRG decreased $49.2 million to a loss of $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. Excluding the impact of (a) $40.6 million resulting from an unfavorable court ruling related to a pricing dispute between SJRG and a supplier (see Notes 11 and 16 to the condensed consolidated financial statements); (b) the net change in unrealized gains and losses recorded on forward financial contracts due to price volatility of $3.9 million; and (c) adjusting for the change in realized gains and losses on all hedges attributed to inventory injection transactions of $0.3 million to align them with the related cost of inventory in the period of withdrawal, gross margin for the wholesale energy operations at SJRG decreased $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. These decreases were primarily due to lower capacity and warmer weather conditions, which exceeded the increases in margin that resulted from the gas supply contracts with two electric generation facilities discussed in "Operating Revenues - Energy Group" above.

The wholesale energy operations at SJRG expect to continue to add incremental margin from marketing and related opportunities in the Marcellus region, capitalizing on its established presence in the area. Future margins could fluctuate significantly due to the volatile nature of wholesale gas prices. As of March 31, 2017, the wholesale energy operations had 6.9 Bcf of storage and 415,306 dts/day of transportation under contract.

Gross Margin - Energy Services - Combined gross margins for Energy Services increased $1.5 million to $18.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. These changes were primarily due to the following:
Gross margin from on-site energy production at Marina increased $1.6 million to $17.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016 primarily due to an increase in SRECs transferred as a result of more solar projects being online compared to the same period in 2016.

Gross margin from appliance service operations at SJESP did not change significantly for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.


51


Operating Expenses - All Segments:

A summary of net changes in operations expense for the three months ended March 31, follows (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 vs. 2016
Gas Utility Operations
$
(1,315
)
Nonutility:
 
Energy Group:
 
   Wholesale Energy Operations
782

   Retail Gas and Other Operations
557

   Retail Electric Operations
(21
)
      Subtotal Energy Group
1,318

Energy Services:
 
   On-Site Energy Production
1,547

   Appliance Service Operations
(32
)
Subtotal Energy Services
1,515

     Total Nonutility
2,833

Intercompany Eliminations and Other
(689
)
Total Operations Expense
$
829


Operations - Gas utility operations expense decreased $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016.  The decrease primarily resulted from the operation of SJG’s New Jersey Clean Energy Program and Energy Efficiency Programs, which experienced an aggregate net decrease of $3.0 million. Such costs are recovered on a dollar-for-dollar basis; therefore, SJG experienced an offsetting decrease in revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in the prior year. This was due to a reduction in the approved level of recovery of such costs. These decreases were partially offset by higher expenses in various areas, primarily those associated with corporate support, governance and compliance costs, which increased $1.6 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

Nonutility operations expense increased $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, primarily due to additional personnel, governance and compliance costs incurred to support continued growth.

Maintenance - The change in maintenance expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, was not significant.

Depreciation - Depreciation increased $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, primarily due to increased investment in property, plant and equipment by the gas utility operations of SJG and on-site energy production at Marina.

Energy and Other Taxes - The change in energy and other taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, was not significant.

Other Income and Expense - Other income increased $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, primarily due to a gain recorded on a sale of real estate during the first quarter of 2017.

Interest Charges – Interest charges increased $7.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, primarily due to $3.4 million of interest charges incurred from an unfavorable court ruling related to a pricing dispute between SJRG and a supplier (see Notes 11 and 16 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Also contributing to the increase was an amendment of an existing interest rate derivative contract previously linked to unrealized losses recorded in AOCL, which was reclassified to interest expense as a result of the prior hedged transactions being deemed probable of not occurring (see Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Finally, there was higher amounts of long-term debt outstanding at SJI and SJG, which also contributed to the overall increase.


52


Income Taxes  Income tax expense decreased $17.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, primarily due to lower income before income taxes compared to the prior year period, which was primarily due to an unfavorable court ruling related to a pricing dispute between SJRG and a supplier (see Notes 11 and 16 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Partially offsetting this decrease was the impact of recording no investment tax credits on renewable energy facilities in the first quarter of 2017, compared with $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2016, which is consistent with SJI's previously announced strategy of substantially reducing solar development.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies Equity in earnings of affiliated companies increased $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, primarily due to capitalization of AFUDC at PennEast, of which Midstream has a 20% equity interest.

Discontinued Operations — The results are primarily comprised of environmental remediation and product liability litigation associated with previously disposed of businesses.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:

Liquidity needs are driven by factors that include natural gas commodity prices; the impact of weather on customer bills; lags in fully collecting gas costs from customers under the BGSS charge and other regulatory clauses; working capital needs of our energy trading and marketing activities; the timing of construction and remediation expenditures and related permanent financings; the timing of equity contributions to unconsolidated affiliates; mandated tax payment dates; both discretionary and required repayments of long-term debt; and the amounts and timing of dividend payments.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities — Liquidity needs are first met with net cash provided by operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $79.5 million and $98.5 million in the first three months of 2017 and 2016, respectively (certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to the current period presentation, causing the amount for the first three months of 2016 to be adjusted; see Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Net cash provided by operating activities varies from year-to-year primarily due to the impact of weather on customer demand and related gas purchases, customer usage factors related to conservation efforts and the price of the natural gas commodity, inventory utilization, and gas cost recoveries. Operating activities in the first three months of 2017 produced less net cash than the same period in 2016, primarily due to contributions made to fund post-retirement benefit plans. During the first quarter of 2017, SJI made a $10.0 million payment to fund its pension plans. SJI did not make a pension payment in 2016. SJI strives to keep its pension plans fully funded. When factors such as lesser than expected asset performance and/or declining discount rates negatively impact the funding status of the plans, SJI increases its contributions to supplant that funding shortfall. Also contributing to the decrease is lower collections at SJG under regulatory clauses, specifically the CIP.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities — SJI has a continuing need for cash resources and capital, primarily to invest in new and replacement facilities and equipment. Net cash outflows from investing activities, which are primarily construction projects, for the first three months of 2017 and 2016 amounted to $72.8 million and $70.1 million, respectively (certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to the current period presentation, causing the amount for the first three months of 2016 to be adjusted; see Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). We estimate the net cash outflows for investing activities for fiscal years 2017, 2018 and 2019 at SJI to be approximately $329.9 million, $347.3 million and $289.3 million, respectively. The high level of investing activities for 2017, 2018 and 2019 is due to a combination of the accelerated infrastructure investment programs and a major pipeline project to support an electric generation facility, both at SJG. Also contributing to the high level of investing activities are potential SJI Midstream investments, net of potential returns, in 2017 through 2019. SJI expects to use short-term borrowings under lines of credit from commercial banks and the commercial paper program to finance these investing activities as incurred. From time to time, SJI may refinance the short-term debt with long-term debt.

In support of its risk management activities, SJI is required to maintain margin accounts with selected counterparties as collateral for its forward contracts, swap agreements, options contracts and futures contracts. These margin accounts are included in Restricted Investments or Margin Account Liability, depending upon the value of the related contracts (the change in the Margin Account Liability is reflected in cash flows from Operating Activities) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The required amount of restricted investments changes on a daily basis due to fluctuations in the market value of the related outstanding contracts and is difficult to predict. Margin posted by SJI decreased by $10.8 million in the first three months of 2017, compared with a decrease of $8.9 million in the same period of 2016.

During the first three months of 2017 and 2016, SJI made net investments in unconsolidated affiliates of $3.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

53



During the first three months of 2017, SJI received approximately $3.1 million related to the sale of real estate. SJI recognized an after-tax gain on this sale of approximately $1.7 million.

During the first three months of 2017, SJI received $3.0 million of proceeds from a third party to pay down a portion of its outstanding note balance.

During the first three months of 2017, SJI made an incremental $7.5 million payment above the prior year to fund company-owned life insurance.
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities — Short-term borrowings from the commercial paper program and lines of credit from commercial banks are used to supplement cash flows from operations, to support working capital needs and to finance capital expenditures as incurred. From time to time, short-term debt incurred to finance capital expenditures is refinanced with long-term debt.

Credit facilities and available liquidity as of March 31, 2017 were as follows (in thousands):

Company
 
Total Facility
 
Usage
 
Available Liquidity
 
Expiration Date
SJI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facilities
 
450,000

 
209,900

(A)
240,100

 
August 2017; February 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total SJI
 
450,000

 
209,900

 
240,100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SJG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Paper Program/Revolving Credit Facility
 
200,000

 
800

(B)
199,200

 
May 2018
Uncommitted Bank Line
 
10,000

 

 
10,000

 
August 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total SJG
 
210,000

 
800

 
209,200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
660,000

 
$
210,700

 
$
449,300

 
 

(A) Includes letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $4.8 million.

(B) Includes letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $0.8 million.

The SJG facilities are restricted as to use and availability specifically to SJG; however, if necessary the SJI facilities can also be used to support SJG’s liquidity needs. All committed facilities contain one financial covenant limiting the ratio of indebtedness to total capitalization (as defined in the respective credit agreements), measured on a quarterly basis. SJI and SJG were in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2017. Borrowings under these credit facilities are at market rates. SJI's weighted average interest rate on these borrowings, which changes daily, was 1.98% and 1.34% at March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.   SJG's weighted average interest rate on these borrowings, which changes daily, was 1.15% and 0.69% at March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


54


SJI's average borrowings outstanding under these credit facilities (which includes SJG), not including letters of credit, during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $287.9 million and $394.6 million, respectively. The maximum amounts outstanding under these credit facilities, not including letters of credit, during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $354.1 million and $467.7 million, respectively.

SJG's average borrowings outstanding under these credit facilities during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $34.7 million and $88.4 million, respectively. The maximum amount outstanding under its credit facilities during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $110.1 million and $141.7 million, respectively. Based upon the existing credit facilities and a regular dialogue with our banks, we believe there will continue to be sufficient credit available to meet our business’ future liquidity needs.

SJG has a commercial paper program under which SJG may issue short-term, unsecured promissory notes to qualified investors up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding at any time of $200.0 million.  The notes have fixed maturities which vary by note, but may not exceed 270 days from the date of issue. Proceeds from the notes are used for general corporate purposes.  SJG uses the commercial paper program in tandem with its $200.0 million revolving credit facility and does not expect the principal amount of borrowings outstanding under the commercial paper program and the credit facility at any time to exceed an aggregate of $200.0 million.

SJI supplements its operating cash flow, commercial paper program and credit lines with both debt and equity capital. Over the years, SJG has used long-term debt, primarily in the form of First Mortgage Bonds and Medium Term Notes (MTN's), secured by the same pool of utility assets, to finance its long-term borrowing needs. These needs are primarily capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment. 

In January 2017, SJG issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of MTN's, Series E, 2017, due January 2047, with principal payments beginning in 2025. The MTN's bear interest at an annual rate of 3.0%, payable semiannually. Proceeds were used to pay down the $200.0 million multiple-draw term facility which was set to expire in June 2017.
In January 2017, SJG entered into an unsecured, $200.0 million multiple-draw term loan credit agreement (Credit Agreement), which is syndicated among seven banks. Term loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a variable base rate or a variable LIBOR rate, at SJG's election. Under the Credit Agreement, SJG can borrow up to an aggregate of $200.0 million until July 2018, of which SJG borrowed $73.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017. All loans under the Credit Agreement become due in January 2019.
Prior to May 1, 2016, SJI raised equity capital through its Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP). Shares of common stock offered by the DRP had been issued directly by SJI from its authorized but unissued shares of common stock. SJI raised $5.6 million of equity capital through the DRP during the three months ended March 31, 2016. Effective May 1, 2016, SJI switched to purchasing shares on the open market to fund share purchases by DRP participants. SJI does not intend to issue any new equity capital via the DRP in 2017.

SJI’s capital structure was as follows:

 
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
Equity
49.9
%
 
49.1
%
Long-Term Debt
42.3
%
 
39.6
%
Short-Term Debt
7.8
%
 
11.3
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%


SJI has paid dividends on its common stock for 65 consecutive years and has increased that dividend each year for the last 17 years.  SJI currently seeks to grow that dividend consistent with earnings growth while targeting a payout ratio of between 55% and 70% of Economic Earnings. In setting the dividend rate, the Board of Directors of SJI considers future earnings expectations, payout ratio, and dividend yield relative to those at peer companies, as well as returns available on other income-oriented investments. However, there can be no assurance that SJI will be able to continue to increase the dividend, meet the targeted payout ratio or pay a dividend at all in the future.


55


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Environmental Remediation - Costs for remediation projects, net of recoveries from ratepayers, for the first three months of 2017 and 2016 amounted to net cash outflows of $10.5 million and $7.3 million, respectively. Total net cash outflows for remediation projects are expected to be $46.8 million, $37.5 million and $50.5 million for 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.  As discussed in Notes 10 and 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, certain environmental costs are subject to recovery from ratepayers.

Standby Letters of Credit - As of March 31, 2017, SJI provided $4.8 million of standby letters of credit through its revolving credit facility to enable SJE to market retail electricity and for various construction and operating activities. SJG provided a $0.8 million letter of credit under its revolving credit facility to support the remediation of environmental conditions at certain locations in SJG's service territory. SJG and Marina have provided $25.2 million and $62.3 million, respectively, of additional letters of credit under separate facilities outside of the revolving credit facilities to support variable-rate demand bonds issued through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to finance the expansion of SJG’s natural gas distribution system and to finance Marina's initial thermal plant project, respectively. In May 2017, Marina redeemed its variable-rate demand bonds and the related letters of credit reimbursement agreements were terminated (see Note 16 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).

Contractual Obligations - There were no significant changes to SJI’s contractual obligations described in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, except for (a) an $82.7 million increase in interest on long-term debt associated with the issuance of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of MTN's, Series E, 2017, due January 2047, with principal payments beginning in 2025 (see Note 14 to the condensed consolidated financial statements); and (b) long-term debt, which increased approximately $73.0 million due to SJG borrowing $73.0 million under a $200.0 million term loan credit facility (see Note 14 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements An off-balance sheet arrangement is any contractual arrangement involving an unconsolidated entity under which SJI has either made guarantees, or has certain other interests or obligations.

As of March 31, 2017, SJI had issued $7.5 million of parental guarantees on behalf of an unconsolidated subsidiary. These guarantees generally expire within the next two years and were issued to enable the subsidiary to market retail natural gas.

During 2011, subsidiaries of Energenic, in which Marina has a 50% equity interest, entered into 20-year contracts to build, own and operate a central energy center and energy distribution system for a new hotel, casino and entertainment complex in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The complex commenced operations in April 2012, and as a result, Energenic subsidiaries began providing full energy services to the complex.

In June 2014, the parent company of the hotel, casino and entertainment complex filed petitions in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to facilitate a sale of substantially all of its assets. The complex ceased normal business operations in September 2014. Energenic subsidiaries continued to provide limited energy services to the complex during the shutdown period under a temporary agreement with the trustee. The hotel, casino and entertainment complex was sold in April 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the Energenic subsidiaries were providing limited services to the complex under a short-term agreement with the new owner. However, the Energenic subsidiaries had not been able to secure a permanent or long-term energy services agreement with the new owner.


56


The central energy center and energy distribution system owned by the Energenic subsidiaries was financed in part by the issuance of bonds during 2011. These bonds were collateralized primarily by certain assets of the central energy center and revenue from the energy services agreement with the hotel, casino and entertainment complex. During 2015, due to the cessation of normal business operations of the complex and the inability of the Energenic subsidiaries to meet its obligations under the bonds, the trustee for the bondholders filed suit to foreclose on certain assets of the central energy center. In November 2015 during settlement discussions, the bondholders alleged, among other things, that they were entitled to recover from Energenic itself, any amounts owed under the bonds that were not covered by the collateral, including principal, interest and attorney’s fees. The bondholders’ assertion was based on inconsistent language in the bond documents. In January 2016, Energenic and certain subsidiaries reached a multi-party settlement with the bondholders. This agreement resolves all outstanding litigation and transfers ownership of the bondholders’ collateral to the owners of the entertainment complex. The Company's share of this settlement was $7.5 million, which was accrued by Energenic as of December 31, 2015 and paid in 2016. The Company entered into agreements with its insurance carrier and external legal advisors to recover, net of legal costs, approximately $7.0 million of costs associated with the bondholder settlement discussed above. The Company received $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2016, which is included in Other Income on the statements of consolidated income for the year ended December 31, 2016, and $5.3 million was received in the third quarter of 2016 and is included in Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies on the statements of consolidated income for the year ended December 31, 2016, as the loss recorded in the prior year was included in this line item on the statements of consolidated income for the year ended December 31, 2015.

As of March 31, 2017, SJI, through its investment in Energenic, had a remaining net asset of approximately $0.4 million included in Investment in Affiliates on the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to cogeneration assets for the energy services project. In addition, SJI had approximately $13.9 million included in Notes Receivable - Affiliate on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, due from Energenic, which is secured by those cogeneration assets. This note is subject to a reimbursement agreement that secures reimbursement for SJI, from its joint venture partner, of a proportionate share of any amounts that are not repaid.

Pending Litigation — SJI and SJG are subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of business and other legal proceedings.  SJI has been named in, among other actions, certain gas supply and capacity management contract disputes and certain product liability claims related to our former sand mining subsidiary. 

SJI is currently involved in a pricing dispute related to two long-term gas supply contracts whereby SJI had sued the supplier to recover amounts that were improperly invoiced. Subsequently, the supplier countersued SJI claiming it is owed an amount which we extrapolate to be $15.0 million from SJG, plus interest, and $40.6 million from SJRG, plus interest, through March 31, 2017. SJI has since dropped its lawsuit against the supplier. We believe any monies paid associated with the SJG claims would reflect gas costs that would be recovered from SJG's customers through adjusted rates. See Note 16 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for an update to this litigation.

SJI is also involved in a dispute in the Court of Commom Pleas of Philadelphia related to a three-year capacity management contract with a counterparty whereby SJI is the manager. The counterparty is claiming that it is owed approximately $13.3 million, plus interest, from SJRG under a sharing credit within the contract. Litigation is currently expected to start in June 2017.
Liabilities related to claims are accrued when the amount or range of amounts of probable settlement costs or other charges for these claims can be reasonably estimated. For matters other than the pricing dispute noted above, SJI has accrued approximately $3.2 million and $3.1 million related to all claims in the aggregate as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, of which SJG has accrued approximately $0.6 million as of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Although SJI and SJG do not presently believe that these matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, given the inherent uncertainties in such situations, SJI and SJG can provide no assurance regarding the outcome of litigation.


57



SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY

This section of Management’s Discussion focuses on South Jersey Gas Company (SJG) for the reported periods. In many cases, explanations and disclosures for both SJI and SJG are substantially the same or specific disclosures for SJG are included in the Management's Discussion for SJI.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

The results of operations for the gas utility operations at SJG are described in detail above; therefore, this section primarily focuses on statistical information and other information that is not discussed in the results of operations under South Jersey Industries, Inc. Refer to the section entitled “Results of Operations - Gas Utility Operations” for a detailed discussion of the results of operations for SJG.

The following table summarizes the composition of selected gas utility throughput for the three month periods ended March 31, (in thousands, except for degree day data):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Utility Throughput – decatherms(dt):
 
 
 
 
Firm Sales -
 
 
 
 
Residential
10,828

 
11,138

 
Commercial
2,508

 
2,183

 
Industrial
201

 
152

 
Cogeneration & Electric Generation
133

 
194

 
Firm Transportation -
 
 
 
 
Residential
843

 
1,008

 
Commercial
2,598

 
2,823

 
Industrial
3,054

 
3,053

 
Cogeneration & Electric Generation
1,162

 
1,479

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Firm Throughput
21,327

 
22,030

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interruptible Sales

 
2

 
Interruptible Transportation
391

 
375

 
Off-System Sales
5,981

 
5,050

 
Capacity Release
21,098

 
16,151

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Throughput - Utility
48,797

 
43,608

 

Throughput – Gas Utility Operations - Total gas throughput increased 5.2 MMdts, or 11.9%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. This was primarily the result of improved throughput in both Off-System Sales (OSS) and capacity release, which increased 0.9 MMdts and 4.9 MMdts, respectively. Weather that was 2.6% warmer-than-normal created less demand in SJG’s service territory and more supply available for OSS and capacity release activity. SJG also had capacity previously released under its Conservation Incentive Program (CIP) returned to SJG during the first quarter of 2017, thereby allowing SJG to take advantage of additional capacity release activity during the period.

Total firm throughput decreased 0.7 MMdts, primarily as a result of warmer weather during the first quarter of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, as previously discussed. The negative impact of weather on firm throughput was partially offset by the addition of 5,266 customers, a 1.4% increase compared with the same period in 2016.



58


Conservation Incentive Program (CIP) - The effects of the CIP on SJG's net income and the associated weather comparisons are as follows (dollars in millions):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Net Income Impact:
 
 
 
 
CIP – Weather Related
$
5.9

 
$
3.3

 
CIP – Usage Related
2.5

 
2.2

 
Total Net Income Impact
$
8.4

 
$
5.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weather Compared to 20-Year Average
13.2% Warmer
 
9.9% Warmer
 
Weather Compared to Prior Year
2.6% Warmer
 
24.2% Warmer
 

Operating Revenues & Margin - See SJI's Management Discussion section above.

Operating Expenses - A summary of changes in operating expenses for SJG is as follows (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 vs. 2016
Operations
$
(1,315
)
Maintenance
$
597

Depreciation
$
1,504

Energy and Other Taxes
$
268


Operations - See SJI's Management Discussion section above.

Maintenance - Maintenance expense increased $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with the same period in 2016, primarily due to increased maintenance of services activity and higher levels of Remediation Adjustment Clause (RAC) amortization. This increase of approximately $0.2 million in RAC-related expenses in first quarter of 2017 does not affect earnings, as SJG recognizes an offsetting amount in revenues.

Depreciation - Depreciation expense increased $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with the same period in 2016, primarily due to continuing investment in property, plant and equipment. 

Energy and Other Taxes -Energy and Other Taxes increased $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with the same period in 2016 primarily due to the availability of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tax credit recognized in 2016, but not available in 2017.

Other Income and Expense - Other Income and Expense increased $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with the same period in 2016, primarily due to higher AFUDC due to increased capital spending and a new AIRP II program.

Interest Charges – Interest charges increased $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with the same period in 2016, primarily due to higher amounts of long-term debt outstanding (see Note 14 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).

Income Taxes  Income tax expense generally fluctuates as income before taxes changes. Minor variations will occur period to period as a result of effective tax rate adjustments.


59


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:

Liquidity and capital resources for SJG are substantially covered in the Management’s Discussion of SJI (except for the items and transactions that relate to SJI and its nonutility subsidiaries). Those explanations are incorporated by reference into this discussion.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities - Liquidity needs are first met with net cash provided by operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $57.0 million and $68.8 million in the first three months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities varies from year-to-year primarily due to the impact of weather on customer demand and related gas purchases, customer usage factors related to conversion efforts and the price of the natural gas commodity, inventory utilization, and gas cost recoveries. Net cash provided by operations decreased primarily due to contributions made to fund post-retirement benefit plans. During the first quarter of 2017, SJG made an $8.0 million payment to fund its pension plans. SJG did not make a contribution to its pension plans in 2016. Also contributing to the decrease is lower collections at SJG under regulatory clauses, specifically the CIP.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities - SJG has a continuing need for cash resources for capital expenditures, primarily to invest in new and replacement facilities and equipment. SJG estimates the net cash outflows for capital expenditures for fiscal years 2017, 2018 and 2019 to be approximately $263.2 million, $234.3 million and $291.7 million, respectively. For capital expenditures, including those under the AIRP and SHARP, SJG expects to use short-term borrowings under both its commercial paper program and lines of credit from commercial banks to finance capital expenditures as incurred. From time to time, SJG may refinance the short-term debt incurred to support capital expenditures with long-term debt.

During the first three months of 2017, SJG made a $4.9 million payment to fund company-owned life insurance.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities - SJG supplements its operating cash flow and credit lines with both debt and equity capital. Over the years, SJG has used long-term debt, primarily in the form of First Mortgage Bonds and MTN's, secured by the same pool of utility assets, to finance its long-term borrowing needs. These needs are primarily capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment.

SJI contributed an equity infusion of $40.0 million to SJG during the three months ended March 31, 2017. SJI did not contribute any equity to SJG during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

SJG’s capital structure was as follows:

 
As of March 31, 2017
 
As of
December 31,
2016
Common Equity
57
%
 
53
%
Long-Term Debt
43
%
 
40
%
Short-Term Debt
%
 
7
%
 
 
 
 
Total
100
%
 
100
%



COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Costs for remediation projects, net of recoveries from ratepayers, for the first three months of 2017 and 2016 amounted to net cash outflows of $9.8 million and $7.4 million, respectively. Total net cash outflows for remediation projects are expected to be $46.2 million, $37.2 million and $50.4 million for 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. As discussed in Notes 4 and 12 to the Financial Statements in Item 8 of SJG’s 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, environmental remediation costs are subject to recovery from ratepayers.

SJG has certain commitments for both pipeline capacity and gas supply for which SJG pays fees regardless of usage. Those commitments, as of March 31, 2017, averaged $63.7 million annually and totaled $307.5 million over the contracts’ lives.  Approximately 34% of the financial commitments under these contracts expire during the next five years. SJG expects to renew each of these contracts under renewal provisions as provided in each contract. SJG recovers all such prudently incurred fees through rates via the BGSS.

60



Pending Litigation - See SJG's disclosure in the Commitments and Contingencies section of SJI's Management Discussion above.

Contractual Cash Obligations Details concerning contractual cash obligations may be found in SJG’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. SJG's contractual cash obligations increased $163.7 million from December 31, 2016, primarily due to an $85.2 million increase in interest on long-term debt associated with the issuance of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of MTN's, Series E, 2017, due January 2047, with principal payments beginning in 2025. The MTN's bear interest at an annual rate of 3.0%, payable semiannually (see Note 14 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Also contributing to the increase was SJG borrowing $73.0 million under a $200.0 million term loan credit facility (see Note 14 to the condensed consolidated financial statements)

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements - SJG has no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

South Jersey Industries, Inc.

Commodity Market Risks — Certain regulated and nonregulated SJI subsidiaries are involved in buying, selling, transporting and storing natural gas, and buying and selling retail electricity and SREC's, for their own accounts as well as managing these activities for third parties. These subsidiaries are subject to market risk due to price fluctuations. To hedge against this risk, we enter into a variety of physical and financial transactions including forward contracts, swaps, futures and options agreements. To manage these transactions, SJI has a well-defined risk management policy approved by our Board of Directors that includes volumetric and monetary limits. Management reviews reports detailing activity daily. Generally, the derivative activities described above are entered into for risk management purposes.

As part of its gas purchasing strategy, SJG uses financial contracts to hedge against forward price risk. These contracts are recoverable through SJG’s BGSS, subject to BPU approval.

The retail gas operations of SJE transact commodities on a physical basis, and SJE typically does not enter into financial derivative positions directly. SJRG manages risk in the natural gas markets for SJE as well as for its own portfolio by entering into the types of transactions noted above. The retail electric operations of SJE use forward physical and financial contracts to mitigate commodity price risk on fixed price electric contracts. It is management's policy, to the extent practical, within predetermined risk management policy guidelines, to have limited unmatched positions on a deal or portfolio basis while conducting these activities. As a result of holding open positions to a minimal level, the economic impact of changes in value of a particular transaction is substantially offset by an opposite change in the related hedge transaction.

SJI has entered into certain contracts to buy, sell, and transport natural gas and to buy and sell retail electricity. SJI recorded a net pre-tax unrealized gain of $14.7 million and $18.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which are included with realized gains in Operating Revenues — Nonutility on the condensed consolidated statements of income.  


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The fair value and maturity of these energy-related contracts determined under the mark-to-market method as of March 31, 2017 is as follows (in thousands):

Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Source of Fair Value
Maturity
 < 1 Year
 
Maturity
 1 -3 Years
 
Maturity
Beyond 3 Years
 
Total
Prices actively quoted
$
13,095

 
$
124

 
$

 
$
13,219

Prices provided by other external sources
21,815

 
496

 

 
22,311

Prices based on internal models or other valuation methods
23,220

 
6,884

 
556

 
30,660

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
58,130

 
$
7,504

 
$
556

 
$
66,190

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Source of Fair Value
Maturity
 <1 Year
 
Maturity
1 -3 Years
 
Maturity
Beyond 3 Years
 
Total
Prices actively quoted
$
5,505

 
$
680

 
$
71

 
$
6,256

Prices provided by other external sources
14,665

 
391

 

 
15,056

Prices based on internal models or other valuation methods
11,532

 
2,374

 
520

 
14,426

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
31,702

 
$
3,445

 
$
591

 
$
35,738


NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) is the primary national commodities exchange on which natural gas is traded. Volumes of our NYMEX contracts included in the table above under "Prices actively quoted" are 23.4 million decatherms (dts) with a weighted average settlement price of $3.09 per dt.
Basis represents the differential to the NYMEX natural gas futures contract for delivering gas to a specific location. Volumes of our basis contracts, along with volumes of our discounted index related purchase and sales contracts, included in the table above under "Prices provided by other external sources" and "Prices based on internal models or other valuation methods" are 108.2 million dts with a weighted average settlement price of $(0.38) per dt.
Fixed Price Gas Daily represents the price of a NYMEX natural gas futures contract adjusted for the difference in price for delivering the gas at another location. Volumes of our Fixed Price Gas Daily contracts included in the table above under "Prices provided by other external sources" are 14.8 million dts with a weighted average settlement price of $2.89 per dt.
Volumes of electric included in the table above under "Prices based on internal models or other valuation methods" are 0.4 million megawatt hours (mwh) with a weighted average settlement price of $37.54 per mwh.

A reconciliation of SJI’s estimated net fair value of energy-related derivatives follows (in thousands):

Net Derivatives — Energy Related Assets, January 1, 2017
$
16,271

Contracts Settled During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017, Net
9,950

Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net
4,231

 
 
Net Derivatives — Energy Related Assets, March 31, 2017
$
30,452


Marina’s solar energy projects rely on returns from electricity and SRECs.  A decrease in the value of electricity and SRECs impacted by 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.  To hedge against this risk, Marina hedges a portion of its anticipated SREC production through the use of forward sales contracts.  The hedged percentage of projected SREC production related to in-service assets in New Jersey is 94% and 84% and in Massachusetts is 81% and 54% for energy years ending May 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.  SREC production related to in-service assets in Maryland is currently unhedged.  As SREC prices have recently declined significantly in Maryland, management is actively monitoring those projects for impairment of the investments in that market. As of March 31, 2017, Marina has total net solar assets of $534.3 million, of which $411.2 million are located in New Jersey, $50.4 million are located in Massachusetts, $55.5 million are located in Maryland, and $17.2 million are located in Vermont.

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Interest Rate Risk — Our exposure to interest-rate risk relates to short-term and long-term variable-rate borrowings. Variable-rate debt outstanding, including short-term and long-term debt, at March 31, 2017 was $539.5 million and averaged $579.8 million during the first three months of 2017. A hypothetical 100 basis point (1%) increase in interest rates on our average variable-rate debt outstanding would result in a $3.5 million increase in our annual interest expense, net of tax. The 100 basis point increase was chosen for illustrative purposes, as it provides a simple basis for calculating the impact of interest rate changes under a variety of interest rate scenarios. Over the past five years, the change in basis points (b.p.) of our average monthly interest rates from the beginning to end of each year was as follows: 2016 - 47 b.p. increase; 2015 - 14 b.p. increase; 2014 - 1 b.p. decrease; 2013 - 16 b.p. decrease; and 2012 - 9 b.p. decrease.  At March 31, 2017, our average interest rate on variable-rate debt was 1.87%.

We typically issue long-term debt either at fixed rates or use interest rate derivatives to limit our exposure to changes in interest rates on variable rate, long-term debt. As of March 31, 2017, the interest costs on $886.1 million of our long-term debt was either at a fixed rate or hedged via an interest rate derivative.

As of March 31, 2017, SJI’s active interest rate swaps were as follows:

Notional Amount
 
Fixed Interest Rate
 
Start Date
 
Maturity
 
Obligor
20,000,000

 
3.049%
 
3/15/2017
 
3/15/2027
 
SJI
20,000,000

 
3.049%
 
3/15/2017
 
3/15/2027
 
SJI
10,000,000

 
3.049%
 
3/15/2017
 
3/15/2027
 
SJI
12,500,000

 
3.530%
 
12/1/2006
 
2/1/2036
 
SJG
12,500,000

 
3.430%
 
12/1/2006
 
2/1/2036
 
SJG

Credit Risk - As of March 31, 2017, SJI had approximately $5.8 million, or 8.8%, of the current and noncurrent Derivatives – Energy Related Assets transacted with two counterparties. One counterparty has contracts with a large number of diverse customers which minimizes the concentration of this risk. A portion of these contracts may be assigned to SJI in the event of default by the counterparty. The second counterparty is investment-grade rated.

As of March 31, 2017, SJRG had $74.9 million of Accounts Receivable under sales contracts. Of that total, 69.0% were with regulated utilities or companies rated investment-grade or guaranteed by an investment-grade-rated parent or were with companies where we have a collateral arrangement or insurance coverage. The remainder of the Accounts Receivable were within approved credit limits.


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South Jersey Gas Company:

The fair value and maturity of SJG's energy trading and hedging contracts determined using mark-to-market accounting as of March 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands):

Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Source of Fair Value
 
Maturity
< 1 Year
 
Maturity
1 - 3 Years
 
Total
Prices Actively Quoted (NYMEX)
 
$
2,501

 
$

 
$
2,501

Prices Provided by Other External Sources (Basis)
 
80

 

 
80

Prices based on internal models or other valuable methods
 
526

 

 
526

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
3,107

 
$

 
$
3,107


Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maturity
 
Maturity
 
 
Source of Fair Value
 
< 1 Year
 
1 - 3 Years
 
Total
Prices Actively Quoted (NYMEX)
 
$

 
$
182

 
$
182

Prices Provided by Other External Sources (Basis)
 
367

 

 
367

Prices based on internal models or other valuable methods
 
15

 

 
15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
382

 
$
182

 
$
564


Contracted volumes of SJG's NYMEX contracts are 12.9MMdt with a weighted-average settlement price of $3.07 per dt. Contracted volumes of SJG's Basis contracts are 3.6 million dts with a weighted-average settlement price of $0.42 per dt.

A reconciliation of SJG's estimated net fair value of energy-related derivatives follows (in thousands):
Net Derivatives — Energy Related Assets, January 1, 2017
$
4,435

Contracts Settled During the Three Months ended March 31, 2017, Net
(1,670
)
Other Changes in Fair Value from Continuing and New Contracts, Net
(222
)
Net Derivatives — Energy Related Assets, March 31, 2017
$
2,543


Interest Rate Risk - SJG's exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to variable-rate borrowings. Variable-rate debt, including both short-term and long-term debt outstanding at March 31, 2017, was $73.0 million and averaged $137.1 million during the first three months of 2017. A hypothetical 100 basis point (1%) increase in interest rates on SJG's average variable-rate debt outstanding would result in a $0.8 million increase in SJG's annual interest expense, net of tax. The 100 basis point increase was chosen for illustrative purposes, as it provides a simple basis for calculating the impact of interest rate changes under a variety of interest rate scenarios. Over the past five years, the change in basis points (b.p.) of SJG's average monthly interest rates from the beginning to end of each year was as follows: 2016 - 19 b.p. increase; 2015 - 20 b.p. increase; 2014 - 32 b.p. increase; 2013 - 14 b.p. decrease; and 2012 - 1 b.p. decrease. As of March 31, 2017, SJG's average interest rate on variable-rate debt was 1.54%.

SJG typically issues long-term debt either at fixed rates or uses interest rate derivatives to limit exposure to changes in interest rates on variable-rate, long-term debt. As of March 31, 2017, the interest costs on $645.1 million of long-term debt was either at a fixed-rate or hedged via an interest rate derivative. 


64


Item 4. Controls and Procedures

South Jersey Industries, Inc.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

SJI's management, with the participation of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of SJI’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2017. Based on that evaluation, SJI’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures employed at SJI are effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has not been any change in SJI’s internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, SJI’s internal control over financial reporting.

South Jersey Gas Company

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

SJG’s management, with the participation of its president (principal executive officer) and chief financial officer (principal financial officer), evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of SJG’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2017. Based on that evaluation, SJG’s president and chief financial officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures employed at SJG are effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has not been any change in SJG’s internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act, during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, SJG’s internal control over financial reporting.


65


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item l. Legal Proceedings

Information required by this Item for SJI and SJG is incorporated by reference to Part I, Item 2, Pending Litigation, beginning on page 57. 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the risk factors for SJI or SJG from those disclosed in Item 1A of SJI’s and SJG's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, respectively.



66


Item 6. Exhibits
(a)  Exhibits

Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
31.1
 
Certification of SJI's Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of SJI's Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
31.3
 
Certification of SJG's Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
31.4
 
Certification of SJG's Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
32.1
 
Certification of SJI's Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).
 
 
 
32.2
 
Certification of SJI's Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).
 
 
 
32.3
 
Certification of SJG's Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).
 
 
 
32.4
 
Certification of SJG's Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).
 
 
 
101
 
The following financial statements from South Jersey Industries, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2017, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The following financial statements from South Jersey Gas’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2017 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Statements of Income; (ii) the Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iii) the Condensed Statements of Cash Flows; and (iv) the Condensed Balance Sheets.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
 
SOUTH JERSEY INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
 
and
 
 
SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY
 
 
(Co-Registrants)
 
 
 
 
Dated:
May 9, 2017
By:
/s/ Stephen H. Clark
 
 
 
Stephen H. Clark
 
 
 
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - SJI
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer - SJG
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer for both Registrants)

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