Folsom,
NJ - South Jersey Industries
(NYSE: SJI) has been included on the KLD Global Climate
100 Index (GC100). As of April 2007, GC100 constituents
represent 15 countries, 9 business sectors and over US
$2.4 trillion in market capitalization.
The GC100 is a specialty index designed to
promote socially responsible investment in global companies
whose activities demonstrate the greatest potential for mitigating
immediate and long-term causes of climate change. The purpose
of the Index is to promote and track the performance of companies
leading the private sector’s response to global warming.
Edward J. Graham, SJI’s chairman, president and CEO
explained further, “Being included on a global list
of 100 companies that are expected to provide solutions to
global warming through renewable energy, alternate fuels,
clean technology and efficiency is a testament to our changing
landscape at South Jersey Industries – one that focuses
on providing energy efficient solutions to our customers
and being a premier energy investment for our shareholders.”
The Index holds companies that are leaders in responding
to environmental concerns including oil, utility, and automobile
companies. As these categories of companies are usually recognized
negatively for their environmental impact, KLD is seeking
to identify those that deviate from stereotype and have the
greatest potential to deliver environmentally friendly, long-term
solutions to energy issues.
KLD evaluates the financial viability of potential candidates
of the GC100 using measurements of size and liquidity. Their
strategy is to include a diversified group of large, mid,
and small-cap companies representing a variety of different
business sectors. KLD continuously monitors constituents
on the Index to ensure they meet standards for involvement
themes, liquidity, and financial viability.
Over
recent years, South Jersey Industries has been a leader in
promoting energy efficiency and green technology. SJI’s
utility, South Jersey Gas, was one of the first in the nation
to implement the Conservation Incentive Program, which represents
a long-term investment in the future of energy efficiency.
CIP advocates more efficient use of natural gas through a
variety of educational efforts that teach customers to use
less energy, such as SJG’s “Energy Savings Club,” which
provides customers with insightful energy conservation tips.
Additionally,
SJI’s non-utility businesses have a
variety of different projects that demonstrate a strong commitment
to the environment. South Jersey Energy Service Plus promotes
high efficiency heating and cooling products and solar panels.
SJESP is also one of the first contractors in New Jersey
to become certified by the Building Performance Institute
to perform energy efficiency audits.
Furthermore,
Marina Energy is rapidly growing its capacity to generate
electricity from landfill gas in New Jersey with two separate
facilities currently online and two facilities pending. Marina
Energy also owns and operates a thermal facility, which provides
all heating and cooling to the Borgata Casino Hotel & Spa.
Also, as a supplier of natural gas and electricity, South
Jersey Energy receives green credits from the state for supplying
a renewable energy source to customers.
KLD
Research & Analytics, Inc. is an independent investment
research firm providing management tools to professionals
integrating environmental, social and governance factors
into their investment decisions. KLD products and services
are used by more than four hundred clients worldwide to integrate
ESG criteria into qualitative/exclusionary screening, compliance
and asset gathering. For more information on the KLD GC100,
please visit www.KLDIndexes.com.
South
Jersey Industries (NYSE:SJI) is an energy services holding
company for South Jersey Gas, South Jersey Energy Solutions,
South Jersey Energy, South Jersey Resources Group, Marina
Energy and South Jersey Energy Service Plus. Visit http://www.sjindustries.com for more information about SJI and its subsidiaries.
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