DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 2 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Cash Flow Hedges
Schedule Of Notional Amounts Of Interest Rate Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate derivatives	$ 422	[1]	$ 439	[1]
Maturities of interest rate derivatives, minimum	2013	[1]	2013	[1]
Maturities of interest rate derivatives, maximum	2028	[1]	2028	[1]
Fair Value Hedges
Schedule Of Notional Amounts Of Interest Rate Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate derivatives	500		500
Maturities of interest rate derivatives, minimum	2013		2013
Maturities of interest rate derivatives, maximum	2016		2016
Undesignated Derivatives
Schedule Of Notional Amounts Of Interest Rate Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate derivatives	216
Maturities of interest rate derivatives, minimum	2015
Maturities of interest rate derivatives, maximum	2035
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges
Schedule Of Notional Amounts Of Interest Rate Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate derivatives	$ 340	[1]	$ 345	[1]
Maturities of interest rate derivatives	2019	[1]	2019	[1]

[1] Includes Otay Mesa VIE. All of SDG&E’s amounts relate to Otay Mesa VIE.