CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	$ 251	$ 260	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	71	(6)	[1]
Financial instruments	3	3	[1]
Net actuarial gain	1	2	[1]
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	75	(1)	[1]
Total Comprehensive Income Before Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements	326	259	[1]
Preferred dividends of subsidiaries	(2)	(2)	[1]
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax	324	257	[1]
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	112	94
Financial instruments		1
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		1
Total Comprehensive Income Before Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements	112	95
Preferred dividend requirements	(1)	(1)
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	66	68
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax	66	68
Total Shareholders' Equity
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	238	256	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	67	(6)	[1]
Financial instruments	3	2	[1]
Net actuarial gain	1	2	[1]
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	71	(2)	[1]
Total Comprehensive Income Before Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements	309	254	[1]
Preferred dividends of subsidiaries	(2)	(2)	[1]
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax	307	252	[1]
Total Shareholders' Equity | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	106	90
Total Comprehensive Income Before Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements	106	90
Noncontrolling Interests
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	13	4	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4
Financial instruments		1	[1]
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	4	1	[1]
Total Comprehensive Income Before Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements	17	5	[1]
Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax	17	5	[1]
Noncontrolling Interests | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	6	4
Financial instruments		1
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		1
Total Comprehensive Income Before Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements	$ 6	$ 5

[1] As adjusted for the retrospective effect of a change in accounting principle as we discuss in Note 1.