CALIFORNIA UTILITIES' REGULATORY MATTERS	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]
Sempra Utilities' Regulatory Matters	NOTE 9. CALIFORNIA UTILITIES' REGULATORY MATTERS JOINT MATTERS General Rate Case (GRC) The CPUC uses a general rate case proceeding to prospectively set rates sufficient to allow the California Utilities to recover their reasonable cost of operations and maintenance and to provide the opportunity to realize their authorized rates of return on their investment. In December 2010, the California Utilities filed their 2012 General Rate Case (GRC) applications to establish their authorized 2012 revenue requirements and the ratemaking mechanisms by which those requirements will change on an annual basis over the subsequent three-year (2013-2015) period. Both SDG&E and SoCalGas filed revised applications with the CPUC in July 2011. Evidentiary hearings were completed in January 2012 and final briefs reflecting the results from these hearings are scheduled to be filed with the CPUC by May 14, 2012. In February 2012, the California Utilities filed amendments to update their July 2011 revised applications. With these amendments, SDG&E is requesting a revenue requirement in 2012 of $1.849 billion, an increase of $235 million (or 14.6%) over 2011, of which $67 million is being requested for cost recovery of the incremental wildfire insurance premiums which are not included in the 2011 revenue requirement as set forth in the 2008 GRC. SoCalGas is requesting a revenue requirement in 2012 of $2.112 billion, an increase of $268 million (14.5%) over 2011. The Division of Ratepayer Advocates and other intervening parties are recommending that the CPUC reduce the utilities' revenue requirements in 2012 by approximately 5 percent compared to 2011. Until such time as a final decision for the 2012 GRC is issued, the California Utilities are recording revenues in 2012 based on levels authorized in 2011 plus, for SDG&E, consistent with the recent CPUC decisions for cost recovery for SDG&E's incremental wildfire insurance premiums, an amount for the recovery of 2012 wildfire insurance premiums. We currently expect a final decision for the 2012 GRC, which will be made effective retroactive to January 1, 2012, in the second half of 2012. Cost of Capital A cost of capital proceeding determines a utility's authorized capital structure and authorized rate of return on rate base (ROR), which is a weighted average of the authorized returns on debt, preferred stock, and common equity (return on equity or ROE). The authorized ROR is the rate that the California Utilities are authorized to earn on their investment in electric and natural gas distribution, natural gas transmission and electric generation assets. In addition, a cost of capital proceeding also addresses market-based benchmarks to be monitored to determine whether an adjustment to the established authorized rate of return is required during the interim years between proceedings through the approved adjustment mechanism. SDG&E and SoCalGas filed separate applications with the CPUC in April 2012 to update their cost of capital effective January 1, 2013. Southern California Edison (Edison) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) also filed separate cost of capital applications with the CPUC. SDG&E is proposing to adjust its authorized capital structure by increasing the amount of its common equity from 49.0 percent to 52.0 percent. SDG&E is also proposing to lower its authorized ROE from 11.1 percent to 11.0 percent and to lower its authorized ROR from 8.40 percent to 8.20 percent. SoCalGas is proposing to adjust its authorized capital structure by increasing the amount of its common equity from 48.0 percent to 52.0 percent. SoCalGas is also proposing to increase its authorized ROE from 10.82 percent to 10.9 percent and to lower its authorized ROR from 8.68 percent to 8.42 percent. SDG&E is proposing to continue its cost of capital adjustment mechanism which uses a utility bond benchmark. SoCalGas is proposing to switch from its current cost of capital adjustment mechanism, which is based on U.S. Treasury Bonds, to the utility bond benchmark used by SDG&E, Edison and PG&E. Both SDG&E and SoCalGas are proposing to add an “off ramp” provision to the adjustment mechanism as a safeguard to protect against extreme changes in interest rates and to allow the CPUC latitude to suspend the annual mechanism if prudent. SDG&E's cost of capital adjustment mechanism benchmark is based on the 12-month average monthly A-rated utility bond yield as published by Moody's for the 12-month period October through September of each fiscal year. If this 12-month average falls outside of a specified range, then SDG&E's authorized ROE would be adjusted, upward or downward, by one-half of the difference between the 12-month average and the mid-point of the specified range. In addition, SDG&E's authorized recovery rate for the cost of debt and preferred stock would also be adjusted to their respective actual weighted average cost. Therefore, SDG&E's authorized ROR would adjust, upward or downward, as a result of all three adjustments with the new rate going into effect on January 1 following the year in which the benchmark range was exceeded. However, SDG&E expects the CPUC decision from the 2013 cost of capital application to supersede the rates that would result if, at the end of September 2012, this mechanism were to indicate that an adjustment is required. SoCalGas' current cost of capital mechanism (the Market Indexed Capital Adjustment Mechanism or MICAM) identifies two conditions for determining whether a change in the authorized rate of return is required. Both conditions are based on the 30-year Treasury bond yields – one being the most recent trailing 12-month rolling average yield and the second being the corresponding 12-month forward forecast yield as published by Global Insight. If both conditions fall outside a specified range in a given month, SoCalGas' authorized ROE would be adjusted, upward or downward, by one-half of the difference between the trailing 12-month rolling average yield and the midpoint of the range, effective January 1 following the year in which both conditions were exceeded. Also, SoCalGas' authorized recovery rate for the cost of debt and preferred stock would be adjusted to their respective actual weighted average cost. Therefore, SoCalGas' authorized ROR would adjust, upward or downward, as a result of all three cost adjustments. In the event of such an event occurring, the benchmark interest rate would be reset to the interest rate in effect at the time it was determined that the benchmark range had been exceeded. As of January 31, 2012, the historical rolling average yield for the 30-year Treasury bonds of 3.79 percent fell below the MICAM floor of 3.88 percent. In addition, the Global Insight 12-month forward forecasted yield of 3.48 percent published in February 2012 was also below the MICAM floor. Therefore, the MICAM calls for an adjustment of SoCalGas' ROE and authorized recovery for the cost of debt and preferred stock to their actual weighted average cost to be effective on January 1, 2013. If the MICAM adjustment is implemented, SoCalGas' ROE would be reduced to 10.02 percent effective January 1, 2013, a reduction of 80 basis points from its current authorized ROE, and its authorized ROR would be reduced to 7.99 percent, a reduction of 69 basis points from its current authorized ROR. However, SoCalGas expects that the CPUC decision from its 2013 cost of capital application will supersede the rates that would result from the MICAM adjustment. The CPUC proposed schedule calls for a final decision by the end of 2012. Natural Gas Pipeline Operations Safety Assessments As a result of recent natural gas pipeline explosions in the U.S., including the September 2010 rupture in San Bruno, California of a natural gas pipeline owned and operated by PG&E (the San Bruno incident), various regulatory agencies, including the CPUC, are evaluating natural gas pipeline safety regulations, practices and procedures. In February 2011, the CPUC opened a forward-looking rulemaking proceeding to examine what changes should be made to existing pipeline safety regulations for California natural gas pipelines. The California Utilities are parties to this proceeding. In June 2011, the CPUC directed SoCalGas, SDG&E, PG&E and Southwest Gas to file comprehensive implementation plans to test or replace all natural gas transmission pipelines that have not been pressure tested. The California Utilities filed their Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan (PSEP) with the CPUC in August 2011. The proposed safety measures, investments and estimated costs are not included in the California Utilities' 2012 GRC requests discussed above. In December 2011, the assigned Commissioner to the rulemaking proceeding for the pipeline safety regulations ruled that SDG&E's and SoCalGas' Triennial Cost Allocation Proceeding (TCAP) would be the most logical proceeding to conduct the reasonableness and ratemaking review of the companies' PSEP. In January 2012, the CPUC Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD) issued a Technical Report of the California Utilities' PSEP. The report, along with testimony and evidentiary hearings, will be used to evaluate the PSEP in the regulatory process. Generally, the report found that the PSEP approach to pipeline replacement and pressure testing and other proposed enhancements is reasonable. In February 2012, the assigned Commissioner in the TCAP issued a ruling setting a schedule for the review of the SDG&E and SoCalGas PSEP with evidentiary hearings in August 2012 and a final decision in the first quarter of 2013. In April 2012, the CPUC issued an interim decision in the rulemaking proceeding formally transferring the PSEP to the TCAP and authorizing SDG&E and SoCalGas to establish regulatory accounts to record the incremental costs of initiating the PSEP prior to a final decision on the PSEP. The TCAP proceeding will address the recovery of the costs recorded in the regulatory account. In April 2012, the CPUC issued a decision expanding the scope of the rulemaking proceeding to incorporate the provisions of California Senate Bill 705 which requires gas utilities to develop and implement a plan for the safe and reliable operation for their gas pipeline facilities. The CPUC must accept, modify or reject the plans by the end of 2012. The CPUC decision also orders the utilities to undergo independent management and financial audits to assure that the utilities are fully meeting their safety responsibilities. CPSD will select the independent auditors and will oversee the audits. A schedule for the audits has not been established. We provide additional information regarding these rulemaking proceedings and the California Utilities' PSEP in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report. Utility Incentive Mechanisms The CPUC applies performance-based measures and incentive mechanisms to all California investor-owned utilities, under which the California Utilities have earnings potential above authorized base margins if they achieve or exceed specific performance and operating goals. We provide additional information regarding these incentive mechanisms in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report, and updates below. Natural Gas Procurement In the first quarter of 2012, the CPUC approved and SoCalGas recorded SoCalGas' application for its Gas Cost Incentive Mechanism award of $6.2 million for natural gas procured for its core customers during the 12-month period ending March 31, 2011. SDG&E MATTERS Power Procurement and Resource Planning Renewable Energy SDG&E is subject to the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program administered by both the CPUC and the California Energy Commission (CEC), which requires each California utility to procure 33 percent of its annual electric energy requirements from renewable energy sources by 2020, with an average of 20 percent required from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013; 25 percent by December 31, 2016; and 33 percent by December 31, 2020. The CPUC began a rulemaking in May 2011 to address the implementation of the 33% RPS Program. We discuss the RPS Program further in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report. South Orange County Reliability Enhancement SDG&E plans to file an application with the CPUC in May 2012 for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to construct the South Orange County Reliability Enhancement project. The purpose of the project is to enhance the capacity and reliability of SDG&E's electric service to the south Orange County area. The proposed project primarily includes replacing and upgrading approximately eight miles of transmission lines and rebuilding and upgrading a substation at an existing site. SDG&E will be requesting a CPUC decision approving the estimated $473 million project by the third quarter 2013. SDG&E obtained approval for the project from the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) in May 2011. The project is expected to be in service by the second half of 2017. Incremental Insurance Premium Cost Recovery In December 2010, the CPUC approved SDG&E's request for a $29 million revenue requirement for the recovery of the incremental increase in its general liability and wildfire liability insurance premium costs for the July 2009/June 2010 policy period. In its decision approving this cost recovery, the CPUC also authorized SDG&E to request recovery of any incremental insurance premiums for future policy periods through December 31, 2011, with a $5 million deductible applied to each policy renewal period. This approval was in response to a request filed by SDG&E with the CPUC in August 2009 seeking authorization to recover higher liability insurance premiums (amounts in excess of those authorized to be recovered in the 2008 GRC), which SDG&E began incurring commencing July 1, 2009, and any losses realized due to higher deductibles associated with the new policies. SDG&E made the filing under the CPUC's rules allowing utilities to seek recovery of significant cost increases incurred between GRC filings resulting from unforeseen circumstances. The CPUC's rules allow a utility to seek recovery of incurred costs that meet certain criteria, subject to a $5 million deductible per event. In December 2011, the CPUC approved SDG&E's request for an incremental revenue requirement of $63 million for the July 2010/June 2011 policy period. SDG&E recorded the revenue resulting from this decision in the fourth quarter of 2011. In addition, SDG&E's fourth quarter 2011 earnings included revenue to recover $28 million of incremental insurance premiums incurred in the six month period of July through December 2011 for which a final decision from the CPUC is pending. In April 2012, the CPUC issued a draft resolution approving the $28 million in cost recovery as requested. We expect a final CPUC resolution on this pending request by June 2012. In the CPUC's December 2010 decision, discussed above, the CPUC directed SDG&E to include in its 2012 GRC application the amount of the incremental wildfire insurance premiums it would be seeking recovery for in rates subsequent to December 31, 2011. SDG&E's 2012 GRC application does request $67 million of revenue requirement for cost recovery of wildfire insurance premiums in 2012. As a decision on SDG&E's 2012 GRC application is pending with the CPUC, with a decision currently expected in the second half of 2012, and based on the CPUC's rulings for the recovery of the cost of the incremental wildfire insurance premiums incurred since July 2009, SDG&E's first quarter 2012 revenue reflects the expected recovery of the cost of the incremental wildfire insurance premiums incurred in the first quarter of 2012. Excess Wildfire Claims Cost Recovery SDG&E and SoCalGas filed an application, along with other related filings, with the CPUC in August 2009 proposing a new mechanism for the future recovery of all wildfire-related expenses for claims, litigation expenses and insurance premiums that are in excess of amounts authorized by the CPUC for recovery in rates. This application was made jointly with Edison and PG&E. In July 2010, the CPUC approved SDG&E's and SoCalGas' requests for separate regulatory memorandum accounts to record the subject expenses while the application is pending before the CPUC. Several parties protested the original application and, in response, the four utilities jointly submitted an amended application in August 2010. In November 2011, Edison and PG&E requested to withdraw from the joint utility application due, in part, to the delays in the proceeding. In January 2012, the CPUC granted their requests to withdraw and held evidentiary hearings for SDG&E and SoCalGas, both of which are still moving forward with the application. Legal briefs were completed in March 2012. We expect a final CPUC decision in the second half of 2012. SDG&E intends to request recovery for costs incurred associated with the 2007 wildfires that are in excess of amounts recovered from its insurance coverage and other responsible third parties in a future application. If a cost recovery mechanism covering the 2007 wildfire costs is approved by the CPUC as a result of these proceedings, SDG&E intends to utilize the methodology authorized. Otherwise, SDG&E will file an application for cost recovery utilizing other cost recovery application processes available through the CPUC. We provide additional information about 2007 wildfire litigation costs and their recovery in Note 10. SOCALGAS MATTER Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Compressor Replacement In September 2009, SoCalGas filed an application with the CPUC requesting approval to replace certain obsolete natural gas turbine compressors used in the operations of SoCalGas' Aliso Canyon natural gas storage reservoir, with a new electric compressor station. In April 2012, the CPUC issued a draft environmental impact report for the project concluding that no significant or unavoidable adverse environmental impacts have been identified from the construction or operation of the proposed project. A final environmental impact report and CPUC decision on the estimated $200 million project are expected by the end of 2012. We discuss additional matters affecting our California Utilities in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report.

CALIFORNIA UTILITIES' REGULATORY MATTERS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]

NOTE 9. CALIFORNIA UTILITIES' REGULATORY MATTERS

JOINT MATTERS

General Rate Case (GRC)

The CPUC uses a general rate case proceeding to prospectively set rates sufficient to allow the California Utilities to recover their reasonable cost of operations and maintenance and to provide the opportunity to realize their authorized rates of return on their investment. In December 2010, the California Utilities filed their 2012 General Rate Case (GRC) applications to establish their authorized 2012 revenue requirements and the ratemaking mechanisms by which those requirements will change on an annual basis over the subsequent three-year (2013-2015) period. Both SDG&E and SoCalGas filed revised applications with the CPUC in July 2011. Evidentiary hearings were completed in January 2012 and final briefs reflecting the results from these hearings are scheduled to be filed with the CPUC by May 14, 2012.

In February 2012, the California Utilities filed amendments to update their July 2011 revised applications. With these amendments, SDG&E is requesting a revenue requirement in 2012 of $1.849 billion, an increase of $235 million (or 14.6%) over 2011, of which $67 million is being requested for cost recovery of the incremental wildfire insurance premiums which are not included in the 2011 revenue requirement as set forth in the 2008 GRC. SoCalGas is requesting a revenue requirement in 2012 of $2.112 billion, an increase of $268 million (14.5%) over 2011. The Division of Ratepayer Advocates and other intervening parties are recommending that the CPUC reduce the utilities' revenue requirements in 2012 by approximately 5 percent compared to 2011.

Until such time as a final decision for the 2012 GRC is issued, the California Utilities are recording revenues in 2012 based on levels authorized in 2011 plus, for SDG&E, consistent with the recent CPUC decisions for cost recovery for SDG&E's incremental wildfire insurance premiums, an amount for the recovery of 2012 wildfire insurance premiums. We currently expect a final decision for the 2012 GRC, which will be made effective retroactive to January 1, 2012, in the second half of 2012.

Cost of Capital

A cost of capital proceeding determines a utility's authorized capital structure and authorized rate of return on rate base (ROR), which is a weighted average of the authorized returns on debt, preferred stock, and common equity (return on equity or ROE). The authorized ROR is the rate that the California Utilities are authorized to earn on their investment in electric and natural gas distribution, natural gas transmission and electric generation assets. In addition, a cost of capital proceeding also addresses market-based benchmarks to be monitored to determine whether an adjustment to the established authorized rate of return is required during the interim years between proceedings through the approved adjustment mechanism.

SDG&E and SoCalGas filed separate applications with the CPUC in April 2012 to update their cost of capital effective January 1, 2013. Southern California Edison (Edison) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) also filed separate cost of capital applications with the CPUC. SDG&E is proposing to adjust its authorized capital structure by increasing the amount of its common equity from 49.0 percent to 52.0 percent. SDG&E is also proposing to lower its authorized ROE from 11.1 percent to 11.0 percent and to lower its authorized ROR from 8.40 percent to 8.20 percent. SoCalGas is proposing to adjust its authorized capital structure by increasing the amount of its common equity from 48.0 percent to 52.0 percent. SoCalGas is also proposing to increase its authorized ROE from 10.82 percent to 10.9 percent and to lower its authorized ROR from 8.68 percent to 8.42 percent. SDG&E is proposing to continue its cost of capital adjustment mechanism which uses a utility bond benchmark. SoCalGas is proposing to switch from its current cost of capital adjustment mechanism, which is based on U.S. Treasury Bonds, to the utility bond benchmark used by SDG&E, Edison and PG&E. Both SDG&E and SoCalGas are proposing to add an “off ramp” provision to the adjustment mechanism as a safeguard to protect against extreme changes in interest rates and to allow the CPUC latitude to suspend the annual mechanism if prudent.

SDG&E's cost of capital adjustment mechanism benchmark is based on the 12-month average monthly A-rated utility bond yield as published by Moody's for the 12-month period October through September of each fiscal year. If this 12-month average falls outside of a specified range, then SDG&E's authorized ROE would be adjusted, upward or downward, by one-half of the difference between the 12-month average and the mid-point of the specified range. In addition, SDG&E's authorized recovery rate for the cost of debt and preferred stock would also be adjusted to their respective actual weighted average cost. Therefore, SDG&E's authorized ROR would adjust, upward or downward, as a result of all three adjustments with the new rate going into effect on January 1 following the year in which the benchmark range was exceeded. However, SDG&E expects the CPUC decision from the 2013 cost of capital application to supersede the rates that would result if, at the end of September 2012, this mechanism were to indicate that an adjustment is required.

SoCalGas' current cost of capital mechanism (the Market Indexed Capital Adjustment Mechanism or MICAM) identifies two conditions for determining whether a change in the authorized rate of return is required. Both conditions are based on the 30-year Treasury bond yields – one being the most recent trailing 12-month rolling average yield and the second being the corresponding 12-month forward forecast yield as published by Global Insight. If both conditions fall outside a specified range in a given month, SoCalGas' authorized ROE would be adjusted, upward or downward, by one-half of the difference between the trailing 12-month rolling average yield and the midpoint of the range, effective January 1 following the year in which both conditions were exceeded. Also, SoCalGas' authorized recovery rate for the cost of debt and preferred stock would be adjusted to their respective actual weighted average cost. Therefore, SoCalGas' authorized ROR would adjust, upward or downward, as a result of all three cost adjustments. In the event of such an event occurring, the benchmark interest rate would be reset to the interest rate in effect at the time it was determined that the benchmark range had been exceeded.

As of January 31, 2012, the historical rolling average yield for the 30-year Treasury bonds of 3.79 percent fell below the MICAM floor of 3.88 percent. In addition, the Global Insight 12-month forward forecasted yield of 3.48 percent published in February 2012 was also below the MICAM floor. Therefore, the MICAM calls for an adjustment of SoCalGas' ROE and authorized recovery for the cost of debt and preferred stock to their actual weighted average cost to be effective on January 1, 2013. If the MICAM adjustment is implemented, SoCalGas' ROE would be reduced to 10.02 percent effective January 1, 2013, a reduction of 80 basis points from its current authorized ROE, and its authorized ROR would be reduced to 7.99 percent, a reduction of 69 basis points from its current authorized ROR. However, SoCalGas expects that the CPUC decision from its 2013 cost of capital application will supersede the rates that would result from the MICAM adjustment. The CPUC proposed schedule calls for a final decision by the end of 2012.

Natural Gas Pipeline Operations Safety Assessments

As a result of recent natural gas pipeline explosions in the U.S., including the September 2010 rupture in San Bruno, California of a natural gas pipeline owned and operated by PG&E (the San Bruno incident), various regulatory agencies, including the CPUC, are evaluating natural gas pipeline safety regulations, practices and procedures.

In February 2011, the CPUC opened a forward-looking rulemaking proceeding to examine what changes should be made to existing pipeline safety regulations for California natural gas pipelines. The California Utilities are parties to this proceeding.

In June 2011, the CPUC directed SoCalGas, SDG&E, PG&E and Southwest Gas to file comprehensive implementation plans to test or replace all natural gas transmission pipelines that have not been pressure tested. The California Utilities filed their Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan (PSEP) with the CPUC in August 2011. The proposed safety measures, investments and estimated costs are not included in the California Utilities' 2012 GRC requests discussed above.

In December 2011, the assigned Commissioner to the rulemaking proceeding for the pipeline safety regulations ruled that SDG&E's and SoCalGas' Triennial Cost Allocation Proceeding (TCAP) would be the most logical proceeding to conduct the reasonableness and ratemaking review of the companies' PSEP.

In January 2012, the CPUC Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD) issued a Technical Report of the California Utilities' PSEP. The report, along with testimony and evidentiary hearings, will be used to evaluate the PSEP in the regulatory process. Generally, the report found that the PSEP approach to pipeline replacement and pressure testing and other proposed enhancements is reasonable.

In February 2012, the assigned Commissioner in the TCAP issued a ruling setting a schedule for the review of the SDG&E and SoCalGas PSEP with evidentiary hearings in August 2012 and a final decision in the first quarter of 2013. In April 2012, the CPUC issued an interim decision in the rulemaking proceeding formally transferring the PSEP to the TCAP and authorizing SDG&E and SoCalGas to establish regulatory accounts to record the incremental costs of initiating the PSEP prior to a final decision on the PSEP. The TCAP proceeding will address the recovery of the costs recorded in the regulatory account.

In April 2012, the CPUC issued a decision expanding the scope of the rulemaking proceeding to incorporate the provisions of California Senate Bill 705 which requires gas utilities to develop and implement a plan for the safe and reliable operation for their gas pipeline facilities. The CPUC must accept, modify or reject the plans by the end of 2012. The CPUC decision also orders the utilities to undergo independent management and financial audits to assure that the utilities are fully meeting their safety responsibilities. CPSD will select the independent auditors and will oversee the audits. A schedule for the audits has not been established.

We provide additional information regarding these rulemaking proceedings and the California Utilities' PSEP in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report.

Utility Incentive Mechanisms

The CPUC applies performance-based measures and incentive mechanisms to all California investor-owned utilities, under which the California Utilities have earnings potential above authorized base margins if they achieve or exceed specific performance and operating goals.

We provide additional information regarding these incentive mechanisms in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report, and updates below.

Natural Gas Procurement

In the first quarter of 2012, the CPUC approved and SoCalGas recorded SoCalGas' application for its Gas Cost Incentive Mechanism award of $6.2 million for natural gas procured for its core customers during the 12-month period ending March 31, 2011.

SDG&E MATTERS

Power Procurement and Resource Planning

Renewable Energy

SDG&E is subject to the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program administered by both the CPUC and the California Energy Commission (CEC), which requires each California utility to procure 33 percent of its annual electric energy requirements from renewable energy sources by 2020, with an average of 20 percent required from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013; 25 percent by December 31, 2016; and 33 percent by December 31, 2020. The CPUC began a rulemaking in May 2011 to address the implementation of the 33% RPS Program. We discuss the RPS Program further in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report.

South Orange County Reliability Enhancement

SDG&E plans to file an application with the CPUC in May 2012 for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to construct the South Orange County Reliability Enhancement project. The purpose of the project is to enhance the capacity and reliability of SDG&E's electric service to the south Orange County area. The proposed project primarily includes replacing and upgrading approximately eight miles of transmission lines and rebuilding and upgrading a substation at an existing site. SDG&E will be requesting a CPUC decision approving the estimated $473 million project by the third quarter 2013. SDG&E obtained approval for the project from the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) in May 2011. The project is expected to be in service by the second half of 2017.

Incremental Insurance Premium Cost Recovery

In December 2010, the CPUC approved SDG&E's request for a $29 million revenue requirement for the recovery of the incremental increase in its general liability and wildfire liability insurance premium costs for the July 2009/June 2010 policy period. In its decision approving this cost recovery, the CPUC also authorized SDG&E to request recovery of any incremental insurance premiums for future policy periods through December 31, 2011, with a $5 million deductible applied to each policy renewal period. This approval was in response to a request filed by SDG&E with the CPUC in August 2009 seeking authorization to recover higher liability insurance premiums (amounts in excess of those authorized to be recovered in the 2008 GRC), which SDG&E began incurring commencing July 1, 2009, and any losses realized due to higher deductibles associated with the new policies. SDG&E made the filing under the CPUC's rules allowing utilities to seek recovery of significant cost increases incurred between GRC filings resulting from unforeseen circumstances. The CPUC's rules allow a utility to seek recovery of incurred costs that meet certain criteria, subject to a $5 million deductible per event.

In December 2011, the CPUC approved SDG&E's request for an incremental revenue requirement of $63 million for the July 2010/June 2011 policy period. SDG&E recorded the revenue resulting from this decision in the fourth quarter of 2011. In addition, SDG&E's fourth quarter 2011 earnings included revenue to recover $28 million of incremental insurance premiums incurred in the six month period of July through December 2011 for which a final decision from the CPUC is pending. In April 2012, the CPUC issued a draft resolution approving the $28 million in cost recovery as requested. We expect a final CPUC resolution on this pending request by June 2012.

In the CPUC's December 2010 decision, discussed above, the CPUC directed SDG&E to include in its 2012 GRC application the amount of the incremental wildfire insurance premiums it would be seeking recovery for in rates subsequent to December 31, 2011. SDG&E's 2012 GRC application does request $67 million of revenue requirement for cost recovery of wildfire insurance premiums in 2012. As a decision on SDG&E's 2012 GRC application is pending with the CPUC, with a decision currently expected in the second half of 2012, and based on the CPUC's rulings for the recovery of the cost of the incremental wildfire insurance premiums incurred since July 2009, SDG&E's first quarter 2012 revenue reflects the expected recovery of the cost of the incremental wildfire insurance premiums incurred in the first quarter of 2012.

Excess Wildfire Claims Cost Recovery

SDG&E and SoCalGas filed an application, along with other related filings, with the CPUC in August 2009 proposing a new mechanism for the future recovery of all wildfire-related expenses for claims, litigation expenses and insurance premiums that are in excess of amounts authorized by the CPUC for recovery in rates. This application was made jointly with Edison and PG&E. In July 2010, the CPUC approved SDG&E's and SoCalGas' requests for separate regulatory memorandum accounts to record the subject expenses while the application is pending before the CPUC. Several parties protested the original application and, in response, the four utilities jointly submitted an amended application in August 2010. In November 2011, Edison and PG&E requested to withdraw from the joint utility application due, in part, to the delays in the proceeding. In January 2012, the CPUC granted their requests to withdraw and held evidentiary hearings for SDG&E and SoCalGas, both of which are still moving forward with the application. Legal briefs were completed in March 2012. We expect a final CPUC decision in the second half of 2012.

SDG&E intends to request recovery for costs incurred associated with the 2007 wildfires that are in excess of amounts recovered from its insurance coverage and other responsible third parties in a future application. If a cost recovery mechanism covering the 2007 wildfire costs is approved by the CPUC as a result of these proceedings, SDG&E intends to utilize the methodology authorized. Otherwise, SDG&E will file an application for cost recovery utilizing other cost recovery application processes available through the CPUC.

We provide additional information about 2007 wildfire litigation costs and their recovery in Note 10.

SOCALGAS MATTER

Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Compressor Replacement

In September 2009, SoCalGas filed an application with the CPUC requesting approval to replace certain obsolete natural gas turbine compressors used in the operations of SoCalGas' Aliso Canyon natural gas storage reservoir, with a new electric compressor station. In April 2012, the CPUC issued a draft environmental impact report for the project concluding that no significant or unavoidable adverse environmental impacts have been identified from the construction or operation of the proposed project. A final environmental impact report and CPUC decision on the estimated $200 million project are expected by the end of 2012.

We discuss additional matters affecting our California Utilities in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report.