Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Net Income	$ 236	$ 202
Other comprehensive income
Unrecognized prior service credit (net of income tax of $5 in 2012 and 2011)	6	10
Unrecognized net gain (net of income tax of $11 and $6 in 2012 and 2011, respectively	21	7
Unrecognized net transition obligation (net of income tax of $2 in 2012 and 2011)	4	4
Transfer to regulatory account (net of income tax of $15 and $8 in 2012 and 2011, respectively)	(21)	(12)
Other comprehensive income	10	9
Comprehensive income	246	211
Preferred stock dividend requirement of subsidiary	3	3
Comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders	243	208
Pacific Gas And Electric Company [Member]
Net Income	231	201
Other comprehensive income
Unrecognized prior service credit (net of income tax of $5 in 2012 and 2011)	6	10
Unrecognized net gain (net of income tax of $11 and $6 in 2012 and 2011, respectively	21	7
Unrecognized net transition obligation (net of income tax of $2 in 2012 and 2011)	4	4
Transfer to regulatory account (net of income tax of $15 and $8 in 2012 and 2011, respectively)	(21)	(12)
Other comprehensive income	10	9
Comprehensive income	$ 241	$ 210