FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: JOANNE BRIGANDI

PHONE: (609) 561-9000 X4240

MARCH 17, 2004

SOUTH JERSEY GAS URGES ID CHECK

FOLSOM, N.J. -- As a safety precaution, South Jersey Gas advises all residents -- especially senior citizens -- to request the identification of utility workers attempting to enter their homes or access their property. South Jersey Gas identification cards display the employee’s photo, full name, employee number, signature and company logo.

“To ensure our customers’ safety, we urge all residents to check the ID of utility workers requesting access to their homes or property,” said Bonnie Bornstein, vice president, customer services. “All South Jersey Gas employees carry or wear official identification cards. Residents will also know our employees by their trucks and uniforms. Any South Jersey Gas employee who needs to enter a home will gladly present their identification cards for customer review.”

If an individual cannot produce identification, call the police immediately. Residents may also call the South Jersey Gas Customer Care Center at 1-888-766-9900 to verify if gas utility work was scheduled on or near their premises.

South Jersey Gas is the principal subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (NYSE: SJI) and provides natural gas utility service to over 300,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, and significant portions of Gloucester, Burlington and Camden counties. To learn more about South Jersey Gas and its programs, visit SJG online at www.sjindustries.com.

###