DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	$ 51		$ 3
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	120		172
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	17		27
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	15		25
Interest Rate Contract | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Prepayments and other
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	27		2
Interest Rate Contract | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Other deferred debits and other assets
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	20
Interest Rate Contract | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Other current liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	75		55
Interest Rate Contract | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Other deferred credits and other liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	42		103
Commodity contracts | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Prepayments and other
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	2
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	3		1	[1]
Commodity contracts | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Other current liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	2	[1]	1	[1]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value			10
Commodity contracts | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Other deferred credits and other liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value			3
Commodity contracts | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Prepayments and other
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	2
Other Energy Management Contract [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Prepayments and other
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	8		17
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	1	[1]	3	[1]
Other Energy Management Contract [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other deferred debits and other assets
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	7		10
Other Energy Management Contract [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other current liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	7		13
Other Energy Management Contract [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other deferred credits and other liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	7		9
SCE&G | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	47		1
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	84		77
SCE&G | Interest Rate Contract | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Prepayments and other
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	27		1
SCE&G | Interest Rate Contract | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Other deferred debits and other assets
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	20
SCE&G | Interest Rate Contract | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Other current liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	72		2
SCE&G | Interest Rate Contract | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Other deferred credits and other liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	$ 12		$ 75

[1] (c) Asset derivatives represent unrealized gains to the Company, and liability derivatives represent unrealized losses. In the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, unrealized gain and loss positions on commodity contracts with the same counterparty are reported as either a net asset or liability, and for purposes of the above disclosure they are reported on a gross basis.