v3.6.0.2

REGULATORY MATTERS - REGULATORY BALANCING ACCOUNTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
--- | --- | ---
Regulatory Balancing Accounts [Line Items] |  |
Overcollected | $ (804) | $ (789)
Undercollected | 941 | 1,062
Net current receivable (payable) | 137 | 273
Undercollected | 85 | 215
Net noncurrent receivable (payable) | 85 | 215
Total net receviable (payable) | 222 | 488
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member] |  |
Regulatory Balancing Accounts [Line Items] |  |
Overcollected | (301) | (345)
Undercollected | 560 | 652
Net current receivable (payable) | 259 | 307
Undercollected | 0 | 0
Net noncurrent receivable (payable) | 0 | 0
Total net receviable (payable) | 259 | 307
Southern California Gas Company [Member] |  |
Regulatory Balancing Accounts [Line Items] |  |
Overcollected | (503) | (444)
Undercollected | 381 | 410
Net current receivable (payable) | (122) | (34)
Undercollected | 85 | 215
Net noncurrent receivable (payable) | 85 | 215
Total net receviable (payable) | $ (37) | $ 181

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- Definition Net undercollected (overcollected) regulatory balancing accounts, current. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_NetUndercollectedOvercollectedRegulatoryBalancingAccountsCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Net Undercollected (Overcollected) Regulatory Balancing Accounts, Noncurrent + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_NetUndercollectedOvercollectedRegulatoryBalancingAccountsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Overcollected regulatory balancing accounts, current. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_OvercollectedRegulatoryBalancingAccountsCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_RegulatoryBalancingAccountsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total net undercollected (overcollected) regulatory balancing accounts. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_TotalNetUndercollectedOvercollectedRegulatoryBalancingAccounts
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Undercollected regulatory balancing accounts, current. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_UndercollectedRegulatoryBalancingAccountsCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Undercollected regulatory balancing accounts, noncurrent. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_UndercollectedRegulatoryBalancingAccountsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=sre_SanDiegoGasAndElectricCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=sre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |