Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt [Line Items]
Interest including LIBOR on credit facilities		Borrowings under each amended and restated credit agreement (other than swing line loans) will bear interest based, at each borrower’s election, on (1) a London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin or (2) the base rate plus an applicable margin. The base rate will equal the higher of the following: the administrative agent’s announced base rate, 0.5% above the overnight federal funds rate, and the one-month LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans will range between 0.9% and 1.475% under PG&E Corporation’s amended and restated credit agreement and between 0.8% and 1.275% under the Utility’s amended and restated credit agreement. The applicable margin for base rate loans will range between 0% and 0.475% under PG&E Corporation’s amended and restated credit agreement and between 0% and 0.275% under the Utility’s amended and restated credit agreement. In addition, the facility fee under PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s amended and restated credit agreements will range between 0.1% and 0.275% and between 0.075% and 0.225%, respectively.
Debt covenant ratio of total consolidated debt to total consolidated capitalization percentage		65.00%
Ownership requirement percentage		80.00%
Required ownership of voting capital stock		70.00%
Commercial paper, maturities (days)		365 days
Short-term debt matured		$ (300)	$ 0	$ 0
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	[1]	$ 3,000
Commercial paper average yield		0.42%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date		Apr. 27, 2020
Short-term debt matured		$ (300)	$ 0	$ 0
PG&E Corporation [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	[2]	$ 300
Commercial paper average yield		0.38%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date		Apr. 27, 2020
Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 3,300
Commercial Paper [Member] | Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Average outstanding borrowings		678
Maximum outstanding balance		1,500
Commercial Paper [Member] | PG&E Corporation [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Average outstanding borrowings		64
Maximum outstanding balance		$ 128

[1] Includes a $500 million sublimit for letters of credit and a $75 million commitment for swingline loans.

[2] Includes a $50 million lender commitment to the letter of credit sublimits and a $100 million commitment for “swingline” loans defined as loans that are made available on a same-day basis and are repayable in full within 7 days.