SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) ALLOWANCES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Regulatory Assets [Abstract]
Noncurrent	$ 3,414	$ 3,273
Greenhouse Gas Obligation [Member]
Regulatory LIabilities [Abstract]
Current	40	41
Noncurrent	171	91
Total liabilities	211	132
Greenhouse Gas Allowance [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Abstract]
Current	40	42
Noncurrent	295	201
Total assets	335	243
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Abstract]
Current	81	107
Noncurrent	998	977
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member] \| Greenhouse Gas Obligation [Member]
Regulatory LIabilities [Abstract]
Current	16	17
Noncurrent	72	34
Total liabilities	88	51
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member] \| Greenhouse Gas Allowance [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Abstract]
Current	16	17
Noncurrent	182	141
Total assets	198	158
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Abstract]
Current	8	7
Noncurrent	589	636
Southern California Gas Company [Member] \| Greenhouse Gas Obligation [Member]
Regulatory LIabilities [Abstract]
Current	24	18
Noncurrent	96	41
Total liabilities	120	59
Southern California Gas Company [Member] \| Greenhouse Gas Allowance [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Abstract]
Current	24	19
Noncurrent	109	43
Total assets	$ 133	$ 62

Regulatory Assets [Abstract]

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Regulatory LIabilities [Abstract]

+ References

No definition available.

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The amount for the individual regulatory asset as itemized in a table of regulatory assets as of the end of the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 340
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44250-110382

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs of regulated entities that are expected to be recovered through revenue sources within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Such costs are capitalized if they meet both of the following criteria: a. It is probable that future revenue in an amount at least equal to the capitalized cost will result from inclusion of that cost in allowable costs for rate-making purposes. b. Based on available evidence, the future revenue will be provided to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost rather than to provide for expected levels of similar future costs. If the revenue will be provided through an automatic rate-adjustment clause, this criterion requires that the regulator's intent clearly be to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost.

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs of regulated entities that are not expected to be recovered through revenue sources within one year or the normal operating cycle if longer.

+ References

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The amount for the individual regulatory liability as itemized in a table of regulatory liabilities as of the end of the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 405
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6500807&loc=d3e48068-110394

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The amount for the individual regulatory current liability as itemized in a table of regulatory current liabilities as of the end of the period.

+ References

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- Definition

The amount for the individual regulatory noncurrent liability as itemized in a table of regulatory noncurrent liabilities as of the end of the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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