LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Parent Company [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Parent Company [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Parent Company [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 PSNC Energy	Sep. 30, 2012 PSNC Energy	Dec. 31, 2011 PSNC Energy	Dec. 31, 2012 SCE&G	Sep. 30, 2012 SCE&G	Dec. 31, 2011 SCE&G	Sep. 30, 2012 Fuel Company	Dec. 31, 2012 Senior Debentures [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Debentures [Member]	Jan. 31, 2013 Industrial and Pollution Control Bonds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Industrial and Pollution Control Bonds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Industrial and Pollution Control Bonds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Industrial and Pollution Control Bonds [Member] SCE&G	Dec. 31, 2011 Industrial and Pollution Control Bonds [Member] SCE&G	Dec. 31, 2012 Junior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Junior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Senior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Medium-term Notes [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Medium-term Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Medium-term Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 First Mortgage Bonds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 First Mortgage Bonds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 First Mortgage Bonds [Member] SCE&G	Sep. 30, 2012 First Mortgage Bonds [Member] SCE&G	Dec. 31, 2011 First Mortgage Bonds [Member] SCE&G	Feb. 28, 2011 First Mortgage Bonds [Member] SCE&G	Dec. 31, 2012 Genco Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Genco Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Genco Notes [Member] SCE&G	Dec. 31, 2011 Genco Notes [Member] SCE&G
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Amount									$ 67.8		$ 71.4															$ 250.0
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate																		0.17%	0.16%			1.01%
Medium-term Notes	800	800
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage															5.20%										6.25%					4.35%		4.35%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,800		300	300	300	100	100	100		1,200		500
LOC advances			0		0	0		0
3 year credit agreement									200
Commercial Paper			142		131	32		10
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate			0.58%		0.63%	0.44%		0.57%					5.90%	5.92%		4.32%	4.48%	4.32%	4.48%	7.70%	7.70%	6.47%	6.47%	5.02%		5.69%	5.66%	5.89%	5.66%		5.89%		5.87%	5.86%	5.87%	5.86%
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			3.0		3.0	0		0
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity			155		166	68		90
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	(172)	(31)							(165)		(19)
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	7	(13)							10		(12)
Long- Term Debt Noncurrent including Derivative Liabilities	4,949	4,622							3,557		3,222
Senior Notes	96	101
Secured Debt	3,290	2,790							3,290		2,790
Junior Subordinated Notes	150	150
Secured Debt, Other	240	247							240		247
Long-term Pollution Control Bond	161	194							161		194
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	350	353
Other Long-term Debt	27	31							21		22
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	5,114	4,666							3,712		3,253
Long-term Debt	$ 4,949	$ 4,622							$ 3,557		$ 3,222
Unfunded property additions	70.00%