Preferred Stock (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends	$ 14	$ 14	$ 14
$25 Par Value [Member]
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 25
Preferred stock, shares issued	75,000,000
$25 Par Value [Member] | Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 25
$100 Par Value [Member] | Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 100
Preferred stock, shares issued	10,000,000
$100 Par Value [Member] | PG&E Corporation [Member]
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 100
Preferred stock, shares issued	5,000,000
No Par Value [Member] | PG&E Corporation [Member]
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	80
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends per share, low range	$ 1.25
Preferred stock dividends per share, high range	1.5
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends per share, low range	1.09
Preferred stock dividends per share, high range	$ 1.25