COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value	$ 507,000,000		$ 507,000,000
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value	476,000,000		476,000,000
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value	18,000,000		18,000,000
Loss from Catastrophes [Member] | S D G E Segment [Member]
Loss From Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period	3,000,000	1,000,000	5,000,000	2,000,000
Loss from Catastrophes [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value	476,000,000		476,000,000
Payments for Legal Settlements	14,750,000
Claims Payments By Insurers To All Claimants	1,600,000,000
Percentage of Total Claims to be Paid by Company	57.50%
Total Individual And Business Claims	860,000,000
Liability Insurance Coverage, Maximum	1,100,000,000		1,100,000,000
Litigation Settlement, Gross	455,000,000
Payments For Legal Settlements In Excess Of Recovered Amounts	314,000,000
Litigation Settlement, Cox Communications	444,000,000
Loss Contingency Accrual Carrying Value, Current	305,000,000		305,000,000
Loss Contingency Accrual Carrying Value, Noncurrent	171,000,000		171,000,000
Regulatory and Other Balancing Accounts	722,000,000		722,000,000
Liberty Gas Storage Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Monetary Damages Sought	56,700,000		56,700,000
Estimated Gain Loss On Contract Termination	$ 215,000,000		$ 215,000,000