Equity	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Equity	4. EQUITY For all periods presented, DESC's authorized shares of common stock, no par value, were 50 million, of which 40.3 million were issued and outstanding, and DESC's authorized shares of preferred stock, no par value, were 20 million, of which 1,000 shares were issued and outstanding. All outstanding shares of common and preferred stock are held by SCANA. In February 2019, DESC received an equity contribution of $675 million from its parent that was funded by Dominion Energy. DESC used these funds to redeem long-term debt. See Note 5. In June 2019, DESC received an equity contribution of $100 million from its parent that was funded by Dominion Energy. DESC used these funds to repay intercompany credit agreement borrowings from Dominion Energy. In September 2019, DESC received an equity contribution of $50 million from its parent that was funded by Dominion Energy. DESC used these funds to redeem long-term debt. See Note 5. DESC’s bond indenture under which it issues first mortgage bonds contains provisions that could limit the payment of cash dividends on its common stock. DESC's bond indenture permits the payment of dividends on DESC's common stock only either (1) out of its Surplus (as defined in the bond indenture) or (2) in case there is no Surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. In addition, the Federal Power Act requires the appropriation of a portion of certain earnings from hydroelectric projects. At both September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, retained earnings of $115 million were restricted by this requirement as to payment of cash dividends on DESC’s common stock. In addition, pursuant to the SCANA Merger Approval Order, the amount of any DESC dividends paid must be reasonable and consistent with the long-term payout ratio of the electric utility industry and gas distribution industry.

Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

4. EQUITY

For all periods presented, DESC's authorized shares of common stock, no par value, were 50 million, of which 40.3 million were issued and outstanding, and DESC's authorized shares of preferred stock, no par value, were 20 million, of which 1,000 shares were issued and outstanding. All outstanding shares of common and preferred stock are held by SCANA.

In February 2019, DESC received an equity contribution of $675 million from its parent that was funded by Dominion Energy. DESC used these funds to redeem long-term debt. See Note 5.

In June 2019, DESC received an equity contribution of $100 million from its parent that was funded by Dominion Energy. DESC used these funds to repay intercompany credit agreement borrowings from Dominion Energy.

In September 2019, DESC received an equity contribution of $50 million from its parent that was funded by Dominion Energy. DESC used these funds to redeem long-term debt. See Note 5.

DESC’s bond indenture under which it issues first mortgage bonds contains provisions that could limit the payment of cash dividends on its common stock. DESC's bond indenture permits the payment of dividends on DESC's common stock only either (1) out of its Surplus (as defined in the bond indenture) or (2) in case there is no Surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. In addition, the Federal Power Act requires the appropriation of a portion of certain earnings from hydroelectric projects. At both September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, retained earnings of $115 million were restricted by this requirement as to payment of cash dividends on DESC’s common stock. In addition, pursuant to the SCANA Merger Approval Order, the amount of any DESC dividends paid must be reasonable and consistent with the long-term payout ratio of the electric utility industry and gas distribution industry.