<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.A
<SEQUENCE>7
<FILENAME>ex23a.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE
<TEXT>
                                                                   Exhibit 23(a)


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
South Jersey Gas Company on Form S-3 of our report dated February 13, 2002
appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of South Jersey Gas Company for the
year ended December 31, 2001, and to the reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in the Prospectus which is part of this Registration Statement.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
August 20, 2002


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>