COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value	$ 529,000,000
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value	498,000,000
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value	18,000,000
Loss from Catastrophes [Member] | S D G E Segment [Member]
Loss From Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period	2,000,000	1,000,000
Loss from Catastrophes [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value	498,000,000
Payments for Legal Settlements	14,750,000
Claims Payments By Insurers To All Claimants	1,600,000,000
Percentage of Total Claims to be Paid by Company	57.50%
Total Individual And Business Claims	950,000,000
Total Government Entity Claims	80,000,000
Liability Insurance Coverage, Maximum	1,100,000,000
Litigation Settlement, Gross	450,000,000
Payments For Legal Settlements In Excess Of Recovered Amounts	204,000,000
Litigation Settlement, Cox Communications	444,000,000
Loss Contingency Accrual Carrying Value, Current	441,000,000
Loss Contingency Accrual Carrying Value, Noncurrent	57,000,000
Liberty Gas Storage Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Monetary Damages Sought	56,700,000
Estimated Gain Loss On Contract Termination	$ 215,000,000