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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2011
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies SCE is an investor-owned public utility primarily engaged in the business of supplying electricity to an approximately 50,000 square mile area of southern California. SCE is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edison International. Basis of Presentation SCE's significant accounting policies were described in Note 1 of "SCE Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" included in the 2010 Form 10-K. SCE follows the same accounting policies for interim reporting purposes, with the exception of accounting principles adopted as of January 1, 2011, discussed below in "—New Accounting Guidance." This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the 2010 Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including recurring accruals, have been made that are necessary to fairly state the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for the periods covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. The results of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year. The December 31, 2010 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents included investments in money market funds totaling $15 million and $243 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Generally, the carrying value of cash equivalents equals the fair value, as all investments have maturities of three months or less. SCE temporarily invests the ending daily cash balance in its primary disbursement accounts until required for check clearing. SCE reclassified $215 million and $196 million of checks issued against these accounts, but not yet paid by the financial institution, from cash to accounts payable at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Inventory Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined by the average cost method for fuel and materials and supplies. Inventory consisted of the following:
(in millions) | September 30, 2011 |  | December 31, 2010
Fuel | $ | 24 |  |  | $ | 21 |
Materials and supplies, spare parts | 316 |  |  | 311 |
Total inventory | $ | 340 |  |  | $ | 332 |
New Accounting Guidance Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2011 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standards update modifying the disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements. Under these requirements, purchases and settlements for Level 3 fair value measurements are presented on a gross basis, rather than net. SCE adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2011. Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted Fair Value Measurement In May 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standards update modifying the fair value measurement and disclosure guidance. This guidance prohibits grouping of financial instruments for purposes of fair value measurement and requires the value be based on the individual security. This amendment also results in new disclosures primarily related to Level 3 measurements including quantitative disclosure about unobservable inputs and assumptions, a description of the valuation processes and a narrative description of the sensitivity of the fair value to changes in unobservable inputs. SCE will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2012 and does not expect the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on SCE's consolidated statements of income, financial position or cash flows. Presentation of Comprehensive Income In June 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standards update on the presentation of comprehensive income. An entity can elect to present items of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement, referred to as the statement of comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. SCE will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2012. SCE currently presents the statement of comprehensive income immediately following the statement of income and expects to continue to do so. The adoption of this accounting standards update does not change the items that constitute net income and other comprehensive income.

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