OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EQUITY 3 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013
Interest Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	$ 3		$ 6
Interest Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	2		4
Interest Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member] | Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	1		1
Cost of Natural Gas, Electric Fuel and Purchased Power [Member] | Commodity Contracts Not Subject To Rate Recovery [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	(5)		(5)
Equity Earnings Before Income Tax [Member] | Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	270	[1]	270	[1]
Equity Earnings Before Income Tax [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	2		4
Income Before Tax [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss			5
Income Before Tax [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	2	[2]	7	[2]
Income Before Tax [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	1	[2]	1	[2]
Income Tax Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	2		1
Income Tax Expense [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	(1)	[2]	(3)	[2]
Income After Tax [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	2		6
Income After Tax [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member] | Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	1		1
Income After Tax [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	1	[2]	4	[2]
Income After Tax [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	1	[2]	1	[2]
Earnings Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	(2)		(4)
Earnings Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	(2)		(4)
Total [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss			$ 2

[1] Represents cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment related to the impairment of our Argentine investments in 2006, which is substantially offset by an accrued liability established at that time. We provide additional information about these investments in Note 4.

[2] Amounts are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see "Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits" above).