Name:	pcg_DebtCovenantRatioOfTotalConsolidatedDebtToTotalConsolidatedCapitalizationPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

In 2012, PG&E Corporation granted 834,420 contingent performance shares to eligible employees. Performance shares vest after three years of service. Performance shares granted in 2012, 2011, and 2010 are settled in shares of PG&E Corporation common stock and are classified as share-based equity awards. Performance-based awards granted prior to 2010 are settled in cash and classified as a liability. This amount is the carried forward balance for total nonvested performance shares after any shares being granted, vested and forfeited during the year

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedPerformanceSharesTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Each RSU represents one hypothetical share of PG&E Corporation common stock. RSUs generally vest in 20% increments on the first business day of March in year one, two, and three, with the remaining 40% vesting on the first business day of March in year four. Vested RSUs are settled in shares of PG&E Corporation common stock. This amount is the carried forward total nonvested RSU not yet recognized after any units being granted, vested and forfeited during the year

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedRestrictedStockUnitsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Net restricted assets for Revolving Credit Facility Ratio Requirement

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_NetRestrictedAssetsForRevolvingCreditFacilityRatioRequirement
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Equity percentage required to maintain capital structure as imposed by the CPUC

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_PercentageOfEquityForCapitalStructureToBeMaintained
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, equity instrument RSU's, vested in period, total fair value

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentRsusVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Expirations, Fair Value

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsExpirationsFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Grants In Period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award equity instruments performance shares grants in period weighted average grant date fair value

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsPerformanceSharesGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award equity instruments RSU's grants in period weighted average grant date fair value

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsRsusGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Performance shares, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformanceSharesWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Restricted stock units, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRestrictedStockUnitsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Settled In Period, Industry Performance Period

No definition available.

Name:	pcg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSettledInPeriodIndustryPerformancePeriod
Namespace Prefix:	pcg_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Aggregate par or stated value of issued nonredeemable common stock (or common stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer). This item includes treasury stock repurchased by the entity. Note: elements for number of nonredeemable common shares, par value and other disclosure concepts are in another section within stockholders' equity.

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Unrecognized cost of unvested options awarded to employees as compensation.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

A segregation of retained earnings which is available for dividend distribution. Earnings not paid out as dividends but instead reinvested in the core business or used to pay off debt. Unappropriated profit is part of shareholder equity. Also called cumulative distributions or earned surplus or accumulated earnings or unappropriated profit.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(23)(a)(4)(ii))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(30)(a)(3)(ii))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_RetainedEarningsUnappropriated
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Description of pertinent provisions of equity-based compensation awards that have actual or potential impact upon the company's financial statements.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTermsOfAward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=pcg_PacificGasElectricCoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=pcg_A2014LTIPMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=pcg_PerformanceSharesEquityAwardsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis=pcg_February2017EquityDistributionAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis=pcg_DividendReinvestmentAndStockPurchasePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: