INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities, Policy	We generally account for investments under the equity method when we have an ownership interest of 20 to 50 percent. In these cases, our pro rata shares of the subsidiaries' net assets are included in Other Investments and in Investment in RBS Sempra Commodities LLP on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These investments are adjusted for our share of each investee's earnings or losses, dividends, and other comprehensive income or loss. The carrying value of unconsolidated subsidiaries is evaluated for impairment under the GAAP provisions for equity method investments. We account for certain investments in housing partnerships made before May 19, 1995 under the cost method, whereby the costs were amortized over ten years down to the expected residual value.

- Definition

Describes an entity's accounting policies for investments in financial assets, including marketable securities (debt and equity securities with readily determinable fair values), investments accounted for under the equity method and cost method, securities borrowed and loaned, and repurchase and resale agreements. For marketable securities, the description may include the entity's accounting treatment for transfers between investment categories and how the fair values for such securities are determined. Also, for all investments, an entity may describe its policy for assessing, recognizing and measuring impairment of the investment.

+ References+ Details