2.2.0.25falsefalse020400 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES (Policies)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $FROM_Jan01_2010_TO_Dec31_2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001032208duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0us-gaap_GeneralPoliciesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSignificant Accounting Policies3false0us-gaap_InvestmentPolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00We generally account for investments under the equity method when we have an ownership interest of 20 to 50 percent. In these cases, our pro rata shares of the subsidiaries' net assets are included in Other Investments and in Investment in RBS Sempra Commodities LLP on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These investments are adjusted for our share of each investee's earnings or losses, dividends, and other comprehensive income or loss. The carrying value of unconsolidated subsidiaries is evaluated for impairment under the GAAP provisions for equity method investments. We account for certain investments in housing partnerships made before May 19, 1995 under the cost method, whereby the costs were amortized over ten years based on the expected residual value.  We generally account for investments under the equity method when we have an ownership interest of 20 to 50 percent. In these cases, our pro rata shares of thefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes an entity's accounting policies for investments in financial assets, including marketable securities (debt and equity securities with readily determinable fair values), investments accounted for under the equity method and cost method, securities borrowed and loaned, and repurchase and resale agreements. For marketable securities, the description may include the entity's accounting treatment for transfers between investment categories and how the fair values for such securities are determined. Also, for all investments, an entity may describe its policy for assessing, recognizing and measuring impairment of the investment.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 7-16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 2, 12 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section M Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7-18 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 10, 11 falsefalseInvestments in Unconsolidated Entities, Policy12INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES (Policies)UnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue