PREFERRED STOCK (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Minimum
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Redemption price (in dollars per share)	$ 25.75	$ 25.75
Maximum
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Redemption price (in dollars per share)	$ 27.25	$ 27.25
Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend requirement	$ 14	$ 14	$ 14
Pacific Gas & Electric Co | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Nonredeemable preferred stock outstanding	$ 145	$ 145
Preferred stock dividends per share, low range (in dollars per share)	$ 1.25
Preferred stock dividends per share, high range (in dollars per share)	$ 1.5
Pacific Gas & Electric Co | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock | Minimum
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock interest rate	5.00%	5.00%
Pacific Gas & Electric Co | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock | Maximum | 6.00% Series
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock interest rate	6.00%	6.00%
Pacific Gas & Electric Co | Redeemable Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Redeemable preferred stock outstanding	$ 113	$ 113
Preferred stock dividends per share, low range (in dollars per share)	$ 1.09
Preferred stock dividends per share, high range (in dollars per share)	$ 1.25
Pacific Gas & Electric Co | Redeemable Preferred Stock | Minimum
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock interest rate	4.36%	4.36%
Pacific Gas & Electric Co | Redeemable Preferred Stock | Maximum | 5% Series A
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock interest rate	5.00%	5.00%
PG&E Corporation
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend requirement		$ 14	$ 14
No Par Value | PG&E Corporation
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	80,000,000
$100 Par Value | Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 100
$100 Par Value | PG&E Corporation
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 100
$25 Par Value
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	75,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 25
$25 Par Value | Pacific Gas & Electric Co
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 25