Debt (Schedule Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Debt [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, net of current portion	15,050		$ 12,717
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, net of current portion	14,700		12,717
Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Less: current portion	0		(539)
Unamortized discount, net of premium	(43)		(51)
Total senior notes, net of current portion	13,432		11,449
Total pollution control bonds	1,268		1,268
Pg E Corporation [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	350		0
Less: current portion	0		(350)
Total long-term debt, net of current portion	350		0
Senior Notes, 5.75%, Due 2014 [Member] | Pg E Corporation [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	0		350
Senior Notes, 2.40% Due 2019 [Member] | Pg E Corporation [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	350		0
Senior Notes, 3.40% Due 2024 [Member] | Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	350		0
Senior Notes, 4.80% Due 2014 [Member] | Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	0		539
Senior Notes, 5.625% Due 2017 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	700		700
Senior Notes, 8.25% Due 2018 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	800		800
Senior Notes, 3.50% Due 2020 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	800		800
Senior Notes, 4.25% Due 2021[Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	300		300
Senior Notes, 3.25% Due 2021 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	250		250
Senior Notes, 2.45% Due 2022 [Member] | Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	400		400
Senior Notes, 3.25% Due 2023 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	375		375
Senior Notes, 3.85% Due 2023 [Member] | Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes			300
Senior Notes, 3.85% Due 2023 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	300
Senior Notes, 3.75% Due 2024 [Member] | Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	450		0
Senior Notes, 6.05% Due 2034 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	3,000		3,000
Senior Notes, 5.80% Due 2037 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	950		950
Senior Notes, 6.35% Due 2038 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	400		400
Senior Notes, 6.25% Due 2039 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	550		550
Senior Notes, 5.40% Due 2040 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	800		800
Senior Notes, 4.50% Due 2041 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	250		250
Senior Notes, 4.45% Due 2042 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	400		400
Senior Notes, 3.75% Due 2042 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	350		350
Senior Notes, 4.60% Due 2043 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	375		375
Senior Notes, 5.125% Due 2043 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	500		500
Senior Notes, 4.75% Due 2044 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	675		0
Senior Notes, 4.30% Due 2045 [Member] | Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	500		0
Pollution Control Bonds, Series 1996 C,E,F 1997 B, Variable Rates, Due 2026 [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Interest rate on bonds, minimum	0.01%
Interest rate on bonds, maximum	0.02%
Pollution Control Bonds, Series 1996 C,E,F 1997 B, Variable Rates, Due 2026 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Pollution control bonds	614	[1],[2]	614	[1],[2]
Pollution Control Bonds, Series 2004 A-D, 4.75%, Due 2023 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Pollution control bonds	345	[3]	345	[3]
Pollution Control Bonds, Series 2009 A-D, Variable Rates, Due 2016 And 2026 [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Interest rate on bonds, minimum	0.01%
Interest rate on bonds, maximum	0.02%
Pollution Control Bonds, Series 2009 A-D, Variable Rates, Due 2016 And 2026 [Member] | Utility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Pollution control bonds	309	[1],[4]	$ 309	[1],[4]

[1] At December 31, 2014, interest rates on these bonds and the related loans ranged from 0.01% to 0.02%.

[2] Each series of these bonds is supported by a separate letter of credit. In April 2014, the letters of credit were extended to April 1, 2019. Although the stated maturity date is 2026, each series will remain outstanding only if the Utility extends or replaces the letter of credit related to the series or otherwise obtains consent from the issuer to the continuation of the series without a credit facility.

[3] The Utility has obtained credit support from an insurance company for these bonds.

[4] Each series of these bonds is supported by a separate direct-pay letter of credit. In June 2014, Series A and B letters of credit were extended to June 5, 2019. Series C and D letters expire on December 3, 2016 to coincide with the maturity of the underlying bonds. Subject to certain requirements, the Utility may choose not to provide a credit facility without issuer consent.