DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Effect of Fair Value Hedges on Statement of Income
Reduction to interest expense for combined amount of gains on fair value hedges, losses on hedged fixed rate debt, and amortization of deferred gain on previously terminated swaps		$ 1,500,000		$ 4,000,000
Effect of Cash Flow Hedges on Statement of Income
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	(4,000,000)	(1,000,000)	(14,000,000)	(6,000,000)
Gain or (Loss) Deferred in Regulatory Accounts (Effective Portion), classified in interest expense	(3,000,000)	15,000,000	(7,000,000)	(13,000,000)
Derivative, Credit Risk Related Contingent Features [Abstract]
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value	116,100,000		116,100,000		140,300,000
Additional collateral required to be posted to counterparties if all underlying contingent features were fully triggered	18,000,000		18,000,000		50,700,000
Aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with contingent provisions that are in a net liability position	134,100,000		134,100,000		0
Commodity contracts
Effect of Cash Flow Hedges on Statement of Income
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	3,000,000	0	11,000,000	4,000,000
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassification from Accumulated OCI to Income, Estimated Net Amount to be Transferred	2,000,000
Gain or (Loss) Deferred in Regulatory Accounts (Effective Portion), classified in interest expense	(1,000,000)	1,000,000	3,000,000	2,000,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments - gain (loss) recognized in income, classified in gas purchased for resale	0	0	(1,000,000)	(1)
Interest Rate Contract
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Deferred in Regulatory Accounts Effective Portion, Net	(2,000,000)	(15,000,000)	28,000,000	(9,000,000)
Effect of Cash Flow Hedges on Statement of Income
Gain or (Loss) Deferred in Regulatory Accounts (Effective Portion), classified in interest expense	0	0	(1,000,000)	(1,000,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	1,000,000	1,000,000	3,000,000	2,000,000
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassification from Accumulated OCI to Income, Estimated Net Amount to be Transferred	6,700,000
Gain or (Loss) Deferred in Regulatory Accounts (Effective Portion), classified in interest expense	4,000,000	14,000,000	4,000,000	11,000,000
SCE&G
Derivative, Credit Risk Related Contingent Features [Abstract]
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value	0		0		0
Additional collateral required to be posted to counterparties if all underlying contingent features were fully triggered	0		0		0
Aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with contingent provisions that are in a net liability position	76.8		76.8		0
SCE&G | Interest Rate Contract
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Deferred in Regulatory Accounts Effective Portion, Net	(2,000,000)	(15,000,000)	28,000,000	(9,000,000)
Effect of Cash Flow Hedges on Statement of Income
Gain or (Loss) Deferred in Regulatory Accounts (Effective Portion), classified in interest expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ (1,000,000)	$ (1,000,000)