OTHER CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS (Tax Reconciliation) (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Investments, Owned, Federal Income Tax Note [Line Items]
Federal statutory income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%
State income tax (net of federal benefit)	788.80%	84.20%	61.80%	(15.50%)
Effect of regulatory treatment of fixed asset differences	(413.40%)	403.70%	(81.90%)	25.20%
Fire Victim Trust	2621.70%	0.00%	221.80%	0.00%
Bankruptcy and Emergence	1.30%	(47.20%)	0.40%	(69.40%)
Other, net	72.60%	31.10%	8.10%	3.30%
Effective tax rate	3092.00%	492.80%	231.20%	(35.40%)
Pacific Gas & Electric Co (Utility)
Investments, Owned, Federal Income Tax Note [Line Items]
Federal statutory income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%
State income tax (net of federal benefit)	303.40%	(17.80%)	45.30%	30.90%
Effect of regulatory treatment of fixed asset differences	(156.80%)	(113.50%)	(57.40%)	(48.10%)
Fire Victim Trust	994.50%	0.00%	155.40%	0.00%
Bankruptcy and Emergence	0.50%	1.40%	0.30%	75.20%
Other, net	25.80%	(8.00%)	4.80%	(4.50%)
Effective tax rate	1188.40%	(116.90%)	169.40%	74.50%