EQUITY (Changes in Equity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 19,472
Comprehensive income	$ 568	$ 553	33	$ 1,543
Common stock issued			137
Share-based compensation			64
Preferred stock dividend requirement			0
Preferred stock dividend requirement of subsidiary	(3)	(3)	(10)	(10)
Ending balance	19,696		19,696
Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			19,747
Comprehensive income	571	513	48	1,492
Common stock issued			0
Share-based compensation			0
Preferred stock dividend requirement	(3)	$ (3)	(10)	$ (10)
Preferred stock dividend requirement of subsidiary			0
Ending balance	$ 19,785		$ 19,785

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount of paid and unpaid preferred stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash, stock and payment-in-kind (PIK).

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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The aggregate value of preferred stock dividends and other adjustments necessary to derive net income apportioned to common stockholders.

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Equity impact of the value of new stock issued during the period. Includes shares issued in an initial public offering or a secondary public offering.

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Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity.

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