News Center

WALL, N.J. – New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR) Chairman and CEO Laurence M. Downes today announced NJR’s support for the Safe Child Consortium and Safe Child Fund of New Jersey to help the state reform its child welfare system. Mr. Downes, who serves as chairman of the consortium, joined New Jersey Acting Governor Richard J. Codey and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services James M. Davy in inviting other corporate and foundation leaders to take part in this collaborative effort.

“We have an opportunity to make a positive and lasting effect on children’s lives through our state’s plan to address this critical issue for us all,” Mr. Downes said. “The security and welfare of our children is or should be of primary concern to every New Jersey citizen, and we’re proud to take a leadership role in this vital initiative.”

In addition to offering financial support, NJR is building awareness of the child welfare reform plan through various communication channels, including regular messages to customers through NJR’s principal subsidiary, New Jersey Natural Gas.

The Princeton Area Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that manages 140 other charitable funds, will supervise the Safe Child Fund for the consortium. So far, more than 20 representatives from corporations, foundations and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce have been involved in planning for this initiative. Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Safe Child Fund/PACF and mailed to the Princeton Area Community Foundation, 15 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. For more information, call 609-219-1800 or visit www.pacf.org.

New Jersey Resources (NYSE:NJR), a Fortune 1000 company and a member of the Forbes Platinum 400, provides reliable retail and wholesale energy services to customers in New Jersey and in states from the Gulf Coast to New England, and Canada. Its principal subsidiary, New Jersey Natural Gas, is one of the fastest-growing local distribution companies in the United States, serving more than 450,000 customers in central and northern New Jersey. Other major NJR subsidiaries include NJR Energy Services and NJR Home Services. NJR Energy Services is a leader in the unregulated energy services market, providing outstanding customer service and management of natural gas storage and capacity assets. NJR Home Services offers retail customers expert heating, air conditioning and appliance services. NJR’s progress is a tribute to the more than 5,000 dedicated employees who have shared their expertise and focus on quality through more than 50 years of serving customers and the community to make NJR a leader in the competitive energy marketplace. For more information, visit NJR’s Web site at njliving.com.